29 September 2026
A Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana allowed voting in the Rajasthan Cricket Association election on 29 September 2026. It directed that the declaration of results be withheld, with results kept in a sealed cover. The petitioner, Megha Gaur, argued through Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy that the electoral roll had not a single woman voter or candidate. The Rajasthan High Court had earlier appointed the State Home Secretary as Administrator to conduct the election. The Court asked for an early High Court hearing on the exclusion of women.
Bench:
CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana
Petitioner:
Megha Gaur
Order:
Voting allowed, results withheld in sealed cover
Administrator:
State Home Secretary
Why it matters for exams: Court orders on sports-body governance, equality and gender representation, and the role of the Supreme Court are regular polity and current-affairs topics.
UPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The UN Security Council met in New York on the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
UN News says clashes between Government forces and M23 rebels continue in the east despite a series of peace agreements.
The DRC and Rwanda signed the Washington Accords in December 2025, and Kinshasa and M23 signed the Doha peace framework a month earlier.
Ambassadors were likely to focus on ceasefire monitoring and rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda.
MONUSCO's mandate comes up for renewal in December.
DRC-Rwanda agreement:
Washington Accords (December 2025)
Rebel group:
M23
UN mission up for renewal:
MONUSCO (December)
Why it matters for exams: Peace accords, rebel groups and UN missions in Africa are common international-affairs topics.
UPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The UN Security Council on Tuesday 29 September 2026 extended the mandate of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti by six months.
The mandate now runs until 31 March 2027.
China, Russia and Pakistan abstained, citing concerns over insufficient funds, personnel and efficacy.
US ambassador Mike Waltz said around 1,500 GSF troops are now deployed in Haiti.
The force stands at less than 30 per cent of its intended size.
Haiti's leaders first called for international security support in 2022.
Mandate extension:
Six months
New end date:
31 March 2027
Abstentions:
China, Russia, Pakistan
Troops deployed:
About 1,500
Why it matters for exams: UNSC mandate renewals, abstentions and peacekeeping-type missions are frequent UPSC and SSC current-affairs questions.
UPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The Government has prepared a roadmap to make Drug Free India by 2029, the 'Vision Document 2026-2029' for a Nasha Mukt Bharat.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched it at the 10th Apex-level NCORD (Narco Coordination Centre) meeting in New Delhi on 26 June 2026.
It followed consultations with more than 35 ministries, departments and agencies.
The roadmap runs from July 2026 to July 2029 on four pillars, with the mantra Detect, Disrupt and Destroy.
From 2019 to July 2026, 93,33,987 kilograms of narcotic and psychotropic substances with an estimated value of Rs.1,53,212 crore were seized.
Document:
Vision Document 2026-2029
Launched:
26 June 2026 at 10th Apex NCORD meeting
Consultations:
More than 35 ministries, departments and agencies
Seized 2019 to July 2026:
93,33,987 kg, estimated value Rs.1,53,212 crore
Why it matters for exams: Internal-security campaigns and their institutional architecture (NCORD, NCB) are regular exam themes.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The 2nd India-Italy Joint Working Group (JWG) on Tourism was held on 29 September 2026.
It was co-chaired by Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, and Ms. Emanuela Tripi, Secretary-General, Ministry of Tourism, Italy.
Topics included exchange of tourism data, cine-tourism, destination twinning, skilling and Business-to-Business engagement.
Both sides agreed to set up focused technical groups and designate points of contact.
The proposed India-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism 2027 was also discussed.
Meeting:
2nd India-Italy JWG on Tourism, 29 Sep 2026
Indian co-chair:
Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism
Italian co-chair:
Emanuela Tripi, Secretary-General
Proposed year:
India-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism 2027
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral mechanisms and proposed 'Year of' events are favourite current-affairs fodder.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The 10th India-Republic of Korea Joint Committee Meeting on Defence Industries and Logistics Cooperation was held in New Delhi on September 29, 2026.
It was co-chaired by Shri Dinesh Mahur, Additional Secretary (Defence Production), and Mr. Kim Il Dong, Vice Minister, Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Republic of Korea.
Larsen & Toubro and BEML took part from India; Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air, Hanwha Systems, Korea Aerospace Industries and DS Navcours from Korea.
On the sidelines, Mr. Kim Il Dong called on Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth.
Both sides reaffirmed commitment to deepening cooperation in defence industries and logistics.
Meeting:
10th Joint Committee Meeting, New Delhi, 29 Sep 2026
Indian co-chair:
Dinesh Mahur, Additional Secretary (Defence Production)
Korean co-chair:
Kim Il Dong, Vice Minister, DAPA
Indian firms:
L&T, BEML
Why it matters for exams: India-abroad defence cooperation items are routinely asked in UPSC, SSC and PSC current-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing the Return of Income for Assessment Year 2026-27.
The date moves from 31st October, 2026 to 21st November, 2026 for persons subject to audit under the Income-tax Act, 1961.
The 'specified date' for furnishing the audit report for AY 2026-27 is extended from 30th September, 2026 to 21st October, 2026.
The relevant persons are those at Serial No. 2 in the Table below Explanation 2 to sub-section (1) of section 139.
A formal order or notification is being issued separately.
Assessment Year:
2026-27
Old return due date:
31 October 2026
New return due date:
21 November 2026
New audit report date:
21 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Tax due-date changes and the role of CBDT are routinely asked in bank, SSC and UPSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
29 September 2026
Health, AYUSH and Devaswom Minister K. Muralidharan inaugurated the district-level 11th Ayurveda Day observance at Nanthancode Swaraj Bhavan. He said government Ayurveda hospitals will be raised to a better standard, like allopathy institutions, and the shortage of therapists will be addressed. He acknowledged that inpatient facilities are fewer in the government sector than in the private sector. Local Self-Government Minister K. M. Shaji inaugurated mega screening medical camps at the function.
Occasion:
11th Ayurveda Day, district-level inauguration
Venue:
Nanthancode Swaraj Bhavan
Why it matters for exams: Health-department announcements and AYUSH observances are common in Kerala PSC general-knowledge sections.
Kerala PSC
29 September 2026
Justice A. Badharudeen of the Kerala High Court reserved judgment on a plea seeking a direction to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act in the CMRL-Exalogic case. The plea names former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena Vijayan and Mohammed Riyas. The Enforcement Directorate had sent a communication on 7 September under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The question before the court is whether a preliminary enquiry is needed before an FIR is registered on such a communication.
Judge:
Justice A. Badharudeen
ED communication:
7 September, PMLA Section 66(2)
Why it matters for exams: Questions on PMLA Section 66(2), the Prevention of Corruption Act and the FIR-versus-preliminary-enquiry debate recur in law and polity papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
The Kerala High Court Rule Committee decided to delete sub-rule (2) of Rule 54, Order XXI of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The sub-rule required an order attaching immovable property to be proclaimed on or near the property by beat of drum or other customary mode. The decision came to light through a reply from the High Court's public information officer. Courts had been collecting a 'tom-tom' charge of ₹100 per proclamation, raised in 2016 from ₹15.
Provision deleted:
Order XXI Rule 54(2), CPC 1908
Tom-tom charge:
₹100 per proclamation
Why it matters for exams: Changes to civil procedure rules and the High Court's rule-making role are favourite polity and law questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. of the Kerala High Court on 29 September 2026 directed the Secretary of the Department of Backward Classes Development to file an affidavit on the steps taken for a socio-economic caste survey in Kerala.
The affidavit must be filed within four weeks and the matter was posted for hearing on 5 November 2026.
The direction came in a contempt case, Con. Case (C) 2097/2026, filed by the Minority Indians Planning and Vigilance Commission Trust.
The proceedings relate to compliance with an earlier judgment on inadequate representation of backward classes in public services and a survey under the Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
The court asked the Additional Advocate General to examine a 2024 Telangana government order on a door-to-door household survey of socio-economic and caste data and to suggest what may be adopted in Kerala.
The departmental Secretary was newly added as a respondent in the case.
Affidavit deadline:
Four weeks
Next hearing:
5 November 2026
Case number:
Con. Case (C) 2097/2026
Why it matters for exams: Connects a live High Court proceeding with the 1993 state Act that governs backward class identification.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
The Kerala Transport Department has directed the State Transport Authority to reconsider its decision of 11 August 2021 that fixed a uniform colour scheme for contract carriages other than light motor vehicles.
Under the existing code such buses must have the body painted white, with a violet stripe running horizontally across the middle and a thin golden stripe above it.
The government order notes that the All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, do not prescribe a specific colour for the body of tourist vehicles.
Operators had argued that the state restriction puts Kerala-registered buses at a disadvantage against tourist vehicles registered in other states.
Any revision must still comply with a 2019 Kerala High Court judgment restricting displays on buses in the interest of road safety.
The existing colour code is not scrapped by the order; a change will depend on the decision of the State Transport Authority.
Decision to be reviewed:
11 August 2021
Central rules cited:
All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023
Reviewing body:
State Transport Authority
Why it matters for exams: Shows how a state transport rule interacts with central permit rules and an earlier High Court direction.
Kerala PSCSSC
Background
Norway became a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 1949, the year the alliance was created.
NATO's founding member countries were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Among the Nordic countries, Denmark, Iceland and Norway were founding members, while Finland and Sweden joined much later.
Norway therefore takes part in NATO's collective defence commitment from the alliance's beginning.
Year Norway joined:
1949
Founding members:
12
Why it matters for exams: NATO's founding members and later accessions are a recurring defence and international organisation question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
Votes for local body bypolls in 38 wards across 12 districts of Kerala were counted on 29 September 2026.
The UDF tally in these wards fell from 22 to 19 and the LDF tally rose from 15 to 18, while the NDA retained one seat.
The recorded turnout was 58.81 per cent and 126 candidates were in the fray.
The wards included divisions in the Kochi and Kozhikode corporations, municipal wards in Mattannur, Chittur-Thathamangalam and Chalakudy, district and block panchayat wards, and 23 grama panchayat wards.
Kannur recorded the highest turnout and Kottayam the lowest.
The UDF lost seven sitting wards and the LDF four, with the LDF picking up seven new seats.
Wards:
38
Districts:
12
Turnout:
58.81%
Candidates:
126
Why it matters for exams: Fresh, precise numbers on a state-wide local body bypoll round, useful for polity and current affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Storting is the parliament of Norway.
There are 169 elected Members of the Storting.
Parliamentary elections in Norway take place every four years.
The Storting is led by a Presidium and the presiding officer is the President of the Storting.
The Storting passes laws, adopts the national budget and supervises the Government.
Elected members:
169
Election interval:
Every four years
Presiding body:
The Presidium
Why it matters for exams: The size and term of foreign legislatures is a standard comparative-polity question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
Justice C.S. Dias of the Kerala High Court on 29 September 2026 dismissed a petition seeking transfer of the Shuhaib murder trial from the Additional Sessions Judge-III, Thalassery.
The petition was filed by Akash M.V. and others under Section 447 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in Tr.P(Crl.) 38/2026 and Crl.MC 4292/2026.
The petitioners had sought the transfer citing a reasonable apprehension that they would not get a fair and impartial trial before that court.
Justice Dias directed the trial court to give the accused a full and effective opportunity to participate, including by suo motu reopening the evidence and permitting cross-examination of witnesses.
The court also directed that the proceedings be expedited, as the case arose from the death of Youth Congress activist Shuhaib at Mattanur in Kannur district on 12 February 2018.
The order is reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 534.
Judge:
Justice C.S. Dias
Provision:
Section 447, BNSS 2023
Citation:
2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 534
Why it matters for exams: Links a current Kerala High Court order to the transfer-of-cases provision in the new criminal procedure code.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
Norway's National Budget for 2027 will be presented to the Storting as Report no. 1 (2026-2027) on 7 October 2026 at 10:00 AM, the Government has announced.
The Storting is Norway's parliament and must consider and approve the budget.
The Ministry of Finance co-ordinates the preparation of the budget, which the Government presents to the Storting every autumn together with the fiscal budget.
A Revised National Budget is presented each spring.
Presentation date:
7 October 2026
Document:
Report no. 1 (2026-2027)
Presented to:
The Storting
Why it matters for exams: Budget calendars of major economies appear in economy and comparative-governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
The Supreme Court on 29 September 2026 raised concern over steep markups on cancer medicines at private hospitals and described the practice as carnage.
The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta suggested a uniform 16 per cent margin on all medicines.
The Bench asked the Centre to examine whether corporate hospitals require patients to buy medicines only from their own or designated pharmacies, and observed that such practices can impose a burden on patients and taxpayers, particularly when treatment is covered under government schemes.
It also questioned the pricing of non-scheduled medicines, which constitute a substantial share of the market, and said the issue would be examined thoroughly.
The petitions concern regulation of medicine prices, generic prescriptions and medical devices under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
The matter was posted for further hearing on 12 October.
Margin suggested:
16 per cent
Next hearing:
October 12
Why it matters for exams: Drug price control under the DPCO and the role of the NPPA are recurring health and governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal launched a new set of initiatives under PRAGATI 50 on 29 September 2026.
PRAGATI 50 builds a Model City Framework for 50 cities selected across 24 states.
The cities were chosen for their economic, cultural, heritage, pilgrimage, tourism and administrative significance.
The initiative targets visible improvements in urban cleanliness, solid waste management, used water management, sanitation and citizen participation.
A Swachh Bharat Test Bed and Innovation Centre was launched at Durgapur in collaboration with the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute.
A Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Centre was inaugurated at Sankalp Bhawan in New Delhi as part of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026.
Cities covered:
50
States represented:
24
Why it matters for exams: New urban missions and their targets are standard scheme questions for PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met her Qatari counterpart Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari in Doha on 29 September 2026, on the sidelines of the AIIB annual meeting.
The two ministers discussed expanding India's UPI payment system across Qatar and strengthening financial cooperation.
They took up the implementation of Qatar's $10 billion investment commitment to India and greater engagement with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund.
Finalisation of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was also discussed.
Sitharaman noted that recent high-level engagements had elevated India-Qatar relations to a strategic partnership.
Qatari investment commitment:
$10 billion
Venue:
Doha
Why it matters for exams: UPI internationalisation and India's investment treaties with Gulf partners are frequently examined economy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank