3 October 2026
Kerala BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar handed a proposal to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu seeking a feasibility study for a Sabarimala airport.
The site proposed is the Kodumon Estate in Pathanamthitta district, of about 3,000 acres.
The Kodumon land is government-assigned land leased to the Plantation Corporation for rubber.
The proposal asks for a detailed examination in consultation with the State government under the Centre's greenfield airports policy.
Pilgrims now land at Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram and travel by road to Sabarimala.
Kodumon came back into discussion after the High Court quashed the land acquisition notification for the Cheruvally site.
Proposed site:
Kodumon Estate, Pathanamthitta district
Area:
about 3,000 acres
Why it matters for exams: Greenfield airport proposals, the districts they fall in and the policy route they take are standard geography and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Greenfield airport Greenfield airport — An airport built on a fresh site rather than by expanding an existing one.
3 October 2026
Ethiopia announced on 1 October 2026 that it was closing its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave within 48 hours; Eritrea answered by cutting all diplomatic relations.
Fighting between federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) erupted on 23 September 2026 across Tigray, Afar and Amhara, raising fears of a return to the 2020-2022 civil war.
AFP reported on 3 October 2026 that federal forces had entered Mekelle, the Tigray capital, after residents said the TPLF had abandoned the city; AFP also noted unverified reports that the city's airport had fallen to a pro-government militia the day before.
Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat and Egypt ordered an Ethiopian embassy official out in return; the two are at odds over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.
The break reverses 2018, when Prime Minister Abiy restored relations with Asmara after two decades of hostility.
Eritrean diplomats ordered out:
10, within 48 hours
Fighting began:
23 September 2026
Tigray capital:
Mekelle
Why it matters for exams: Horn of Africa conflicts and the Nile dam dispute are recurring world-affairs topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TPLF Tigray People's Liberation Front — The main anti-government group, based in the Tigray capital Mekelle.
GERD Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam — A hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile that Egypt fears will cut its share of Nile water.
3 October 2026
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah addressed the Gaupalak Sammelan at Dussehra Maidan, Bhopal, on 3 October 2026 and inaugurated a State-level exhibition on the New Criminal Laws.
He said India is the world's largest milk-producing country and per capita milk availability has risen from about 307 grams to 485 grams a day, a rise of about 58%.
Under White Revolution 2.0, 75,000 new cooperative dairies will be established and 46,000 existing dairies strengthened.
The Madhya Pradesh Government has set a target to raise daily milk procurement from 12 lakh kg to 52 lakh kg, and gave in-principle approval for 50 acres of land for breed improvement of cattle and buffaloes.
He said cooperatives help livestock rearers get remunerative prices by cutting out intermediaries and sharing the gains of processing and value addition.
New cooperative dairies (White Revolution 2.0):
75,000
Existing dairies to be strengthened:
46,000
Per capita milk availability:
307 g to 485 g a day
Madhya Pradesh daily procurement target:
12 lakh kg to 52 lakh kg
Why it matters for exams: Dairy cooperatives, the Ministry of Cooperation and the new criminal laws are all regular exam areas.
Kerala PSCUPSC
3 October 2026
Rajiv Gauba, Member of NITI Aayog, spoke at the plenary session "Regulatory Oversight in an Age of Disruption" at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave, according to a Press Information Bureau release of 3 October 2026.
He said the choice is not between regulation and growth; rules should manage risk while supporting innovation, competition and investment.
He said regulatory requirements should be calibrated to the nature and consequences of the risks involved, and regulators' independence must come with accountability.
He wanted a State that is "firm where risks are high, and light-touch where risks are low", and called for better coordination among regulators with overlapping mandates.
He linked this to Viksit Bharat by 2047 and the Prime Minister's philosophy of Trust Based Governance, or Jan Vishwas.
Event:
5th Kautilya Economic Conclave
Session:
Regulatory Oversight in an Age of Disruption
Speaker:
Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog
Why it matters for exams: Regulatory reform, NITI Aayog's role and the Jan Vishwas approach are useful for governance and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NITI Aayog National Institution for Transforming India — The Government of India's policy think-tank that replaced the Planning Commission.
3 October 2026
Chairpersons of six of the 24 department-related Parliamentary standing committees were changed on 3 October 2026.
BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi takes over the Commerce committee from Dola Sen, and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar heads the Chemicals and Fertilisers committee in place of Kirti Azad; the Trinamool Congress thereby holds no chair.
The Railway committee now has Sudheer Gupta, Labour, Textiles and Skill Development has Shashank Mani, Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice has Sujeet Kumar, and Education, Women, Children and Youth has Mukul Wasnik.
Shashi Tharoor (External Affairs), Saptagiri Ulaka (Rural Development and Panchayati Raj) and Charanjit Singh Channi (Agriculture) retained their chairs.
The Lok Sabha Speaker appoints chairpersons of the 16 committees under the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha Chairman those of the eight under the Rajya Sabha.
Department-related standing committees:
24 (16 Lok Sabha, 8 Rajya Sabha)
Chairs changed:
6
Why it matters for exams: How Parliament's committee system is staffed and who appoints committee chairs is a standard polity question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DRSC Department-related Standing Committee — A permanent parliamentary committee that examines the work and budgets of ministries.
3 October 2026
On 2 October 2026 the Border Security Force shot dead two men along the International Border in Punjab; the BSF said three people kept moving towards the border fence despite repeated warnings.
On 3 October Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned India's Chargé d'Affaires in Islamabad and described the dead men as unarmed civilians.
Late that evening India's Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan's Chargé d'Affaires, lodged a strong protest over what it called continued facilitation of illegal cross-border infiltration, and rejected Pakistan's statement.
Chargés d'Affaires are the highest-ranking diplomats in each capital, since both sides downgraded missions and recalled High Commissioners in 2019.
The BSF handed the bodies to the Pakistan Rangers on Saturday.
Incident date:
2 October 2026
Envoys summoned:
Chargé d'Affaires of both countries
Missions downgraded since:
2019
Why it matters for exams: India-Pakistan diplomatic ties, the BSF's role on the International Border and the 2019 downgrade of missions are standard international relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Chargé d'Affaires Chargé d'Affaires — A diplomat who heads a mission in the absence of an ambassador or High Commissioner.
BSF Border Security Force — The central force that guards India's borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
3 October 2026
On October 3 the Health Minister said there is no general medicine crisis and that government hospitals have sufficient stock.
The Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited (KMSCL) buys medicines from manufacturers through tenders and distributes them from its warehouses to government hospitals.
An October 3 analysis in The New Indian Express says the problem is better seen as a disruption in procurement, re-tendering and distribution than as a total shortage.
It notes that shortages are being reported particularly at certain stages of the distribution system, and that district-level health officials have said the more significant shortages are at KMSCL warehouses.
Medicines named as affected include paracetamol, aspirin and certain antibiotics.
The analysis also notes that the Minister had earlier said a number of medicines were in short supply, before later saying there is no general crisis.
Procurement agency:
KMSCL
Date of Minister's statement:
October 3, 2026
Why it matters for exams: KMSCL's role in public-sector drug procurement and the tender-to-warehouse supply chain is a standard health-administration topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KMSCL Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited — The State agency that procures and distributes medicines and supplies to government hospitals.
3 October 2026
The State government has renamed the Electronics and Information Technology department as the Department of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Future Technologies.
The Cabinet took the decision at its meeting on September 30, and the order was issued on Saturday, October 3.
The change follows the Governor's policy address for 2026, which announced a repositioning of the department.
The new name widens the mandate beyond IT and electronics to AI, deep-tech and start-ups.
Reforms under way include the Kerala State Digital Technology Mission, The Future Corporation and Semicon Keralam.
Old name:
Electronics and Information Technology department
Cabinet meeting:
September 30, 2026
Order issued:
October 3, 2026
Why it matters for exams: Renaming of a State department after a Cabinet decision and a Governor's address is a clean governance fact for Kerala PSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Policy address Governor's policy address — The Governor's speech to the Assembly that sets out the government's policies for the year.
3 October 2026
The State has decided in principle to set up 'Kerala Desks' in Dubai, London, New York, Singapore and Tokyo.
The desks will run on a 'cooperative, no-cost model' with recognised organisations of non-resident Keralites, with no extra burden on the State exchequer.
A State Industries department order of September 30 sanctions them under the 100-day action plan of the new government.
The desks will build ties with Keralite business persons and investors abroad and pass pre-qualified investment leads to the Invest Keralam Cell in KSIDC.
The order says the aim is to shift diaspora engagement from remittances to investment.
Cities:
Dubai, London, New York, Singapore, Tokyo
Model:
Cooperative, no-cost
Order date:
September 30, 2026
Why it matters for exams: A fresh State order on diaspora-led investment, linked to the KSIDC single-window system, is a likely Kerala PSC and governance question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KSIDC Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation — The State's industrial promotion agency whose Invest Keralam Cell runs the single-window mechanism.
NoRK Non-Resident Keralite — A Keralite living and working outside the State or country.
Background
Hook: WHO has been issuing the confirmed-case and death figures for the DR Congo Bundibugyo outbreak. WHO is based in Geneva and was established on 7 April 1948. It is an organization of 194 Member States, who elect the Director-General. The World Health Assembly is WHO's highest level decision-making forum, where delegates convene annually to set priorities. The Executive Board is also part of its formal governance. WHO works through 6 Regional Offices and more than 150 country locations.
Headquarters:
Geneva
Established:
7 April 1948
Member States:
194
Highest forum:
World Health Assembly
Why it matters for exams: WHO's structure, seat and governing bodies appear regularly in UN-agency questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
World Health Assembly WHO's highest decision-making forum — Delegates convene annually to set WHO's priorities.
Background
Standing background on collective defence. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty treats an armed attack on one NATO member as an attack on all. Each ally must act by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary. Assistance may or may not involve armed force, so there is no automatic military response. The North Atlantic Council meets to assess whether the conditions apply. Article 5 has been triggered once, after the terrorist attacks on the United States, leading to Operation Eagle Assist with NATO AWACS aircraft.
Collective defence clause:
Article 5
Times invoked:
once
Body that assesses conditions:
North Atlantic Council
Why it matters for exams: Article 5 and the way NATO decides are standard defence and world-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AWACS Airborne Warning and Control System — Radar aircraft NATO deployed over the United States in Operation Eagle Assist.
Background
Hook: the IMO reported three hijacked ships freed off Somalia, at sea where UNCLOS sets the legal zones. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was opened for signature on 10 December 1982 in Montego Bay, Jamaica and entered into force on 16 November 1994. Coastal States exercise sovereignty over a territorial sea whose breadth does not exceed 12 nautical miles. They have sovereign rights in a 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Convention also established the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Territorial sea:
up to 12 nautical miles
Exclusive economic zone:
200 nautical miles
Opened for signature:
10 December 1982, Montego Bay
Why it matters for exams: Maritime zones and the sovereignty versus sovereign-rights distinction are regular UPSC and PSC points.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone — A zone up to 200 nautical miles where the coastal State has sovereign rights.
Background
Standing background to separate the ICC from the ICJ. The ICC has its permanent premises in The Hague, Netherlands. The Rome Statute gives it four main crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. It acts on the principle of complementarity: it is meant to complement, not to replace, national criminal systems, and prosecutes only when States are unwilling or unable to do so genuinely. The ICJ, by contrast, settles disputes between States.
Core crimes:
four
Governing treaty:
Rome Statute
Seat:
The Hague, Netherlands
Why it matters for exams: Examiners often ask which court handles which kind of case, so the ICC's crimes and complementarity matter.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Complementarity Complement, not replace, national courts — The ICC prosecutes only when States are unwilling or unable to do so genuinely.
Background
Standing background on the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The Court is composed of 15 judges elected for terms of office of nine years by the UN General Assembly and the Security Council. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. It settles, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States. It also gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies. It is distinct from the International Criminal Court, which tries crimes.
Judges:
15
Term of office:
nine years
Seat:
Peace Palace, The Hague
Why it matters for exams: The ICJ versus ICC distinction is a favourite question in world-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Advisory opinion Non-binding legal view — An opinion on a legal question referred by authorized UN organs and specialized agencies.
Background
Hook: the General Assembly has been debating a Security Council veto cast by China and Russia on an Iran sanctions panel. Article 23 of the UN Charter says the Council consists of 15 Members. The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The General Assembly elects ten non-permanent members for two-year terms. Under Article 27 each member has one vote. Procedural matters need nine affirmative votes. All other matters need nine votes including the concurring votes of the permanent members, which is the basis of the veto.
Total members:
15
Permanent members:
5
Non-permanent term:
two years
Votes needed:
nine
Why it matters for exams: Composition and voting of the Security Council is a standing favourite in UPSC and PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Veto Negative vote of a permanent member — A permanent member's negative vote blocks a substantive decision.
Background
Hook: Kerala PSC recruitment tests are the target of the aspirants this archive serves.
The Kerala Public Service Commission is described on its own site as a body created by the Constitution of India.
Its site says it operates under Article 320 (3) of the Constitution.
The Commission advises the Government on all matters relating to civil services.
Selection can include written tests, practical tests, physical efficiency tests and interviews.
The Head Office is at Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram, the State Capital.
Head office:
Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram
Constitutional basis:
Body created by the Constitution; Article 320 (3)
Role:
Advises the Government on civil services matters
Why it matters for exams: Knowing the PSC's constitutional basis and role is a standard polity topic for Kerala PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PSC Public Service Commission — A constitutional body that selects candidates for government posts and advises on service matters.
Background
Hook: The Kerala High Court, which sits in Kochi, and the Vizhinjam port profile keep Ernakulam in focus.
The district administration describes Ernakulam as an amalgam of a hoary heritage and global growth of industry and commerce.
It borders Thrissur in the north, Idukki in the east, Alappuzha and Kottayam in the south and the Lakshadweep Sea in the west.
Kochi is referred to in the history of Kerala as the Queen of the Arabian Sea.
The district embodies the State's achievements in literacy, industry, trade and commerce.
North border:
Thrissur
East border:
Idukki
South border:
Alappuzha and Kottayam
Epithet of Kochi:
Queen of the Arabian Sea
Why it matters for exams: Neighbouring districts and the Queen of the Arabian Sea epithet are frequent Kerala PSC questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Hook: The renaming to Keralam has put the State's basic profile back in focus.
The State portal gives Kerala's area as 38,863 square kilometres.
It lies on the south-west coast of India between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats.
The State has 14 districts, with Thiruvananthapuram as the capital.
The terrain falls into three zones: highlands (Malanad), midlands (Idanadu) and coastal plains.
Malayalam is the primary language.
Area:
38,863 sq km
Districts:
14
Capital:
Thiruvananthapuram
Natural zones:
Malanad, Idanadu, coastal plains
Why it matters for exams: State area, district count and the three natural divisions are basic Kerala PSC facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Malanad — The highland zone of Kerala along the Western Ghats.
Idanadu — The midland zone between the highlands and the coast.
Background
Hook: Kerala's planned senior-citizen care law makes the State's age structure relevant.
The State portal records a population of 3,34,06,061, which is 2.76 per cent of India's total.
The sex ratio is 1084 females per 1,000 males, and density is 860 per km2 against 382 for India.
Literacy is 93.91 per cent: 96.02 per cent for males and 91.98 per cent for females.
Decadal growth is 4.91 against 17.64 for India.
Those aged 60 and above form 12.7 per cent of the population.
Population:
3,34,06,061
Sex ratio:
1084 females per 1,000 males
Density:
860 per km2 (India 382)
Literacy:
93.91 per cent
Decadal growth:
4.91 (India 17.64)
Why it matters for exams: Census population, sex ratio and literacy figures are core Kerala PSC and UPSC statistics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Sex ratio — Number of females per 1,000 males.
3 October 2026
On 30 September 2026 the Advocate General told a Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. that the process to constitute the State Waqf Board had begun.
The government said it would be completed within two weeks, with an affidavit to follow.
The matter was posted after four weeks.
In August 2026 the court had given the government six weeks to fill vacancies on the Board.
The petitions challenge the Board's composition for lacking non-Muslim members as required by the Waqf Act as amended in 2025, Section 14(1).
Time promised:
Two weeks
Bench:
Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M.
Provision:
Section 14(1), Waqf Act as amended in 2025
Why it matters for exams: Connects the amended Waqf Act, 2025 with the State Waqf Board's constitution, a live Kerala High Court matter.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Advocate General Chief law officer of the State — Represents the State government in the High Court.