Background
India was placed under a state of Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution between 25 June 1975 and 21 March 1977. At that time, Article 352 allowed the President to declare Emergency on three grounds: war, external aggression, or internal disturbance. The 44th Constitutional Amendment in 1978 replaced "internal disturbance" with "armed rebellion". Article 358 suspended protections under Article 19, while Article 359 allowed the state to suspend enforcement of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 21, and 22.
National Emergency:
Article 352
Effect on Article 19:
Article 358
Enforcement of rights suspended:
Article 359
Ground replaced:
internal disturbance to armed rebellion
Why it matters for exams: Emergency provisions and the 44th Amendment safeguards are perennial polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Ministry of Home Affairs lists these Central Armed Police Forces: Assam Rifles (AR), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB). They are listed on the Ministry of Home Affairs website.
Ministry:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Forces listed:
AR, BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, NSG, SSB
Why it matters for exams: Which forces are listed as Central Armed Police Forces by the Ministry of Home Affairs is a standard security and polity question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Union Cabinet approved the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in the rank of a four-star General, with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief. Under the same decision the CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to be created within the Ministry of Defence, and functions as its Secretary. The DMA deals with the Armed Forces of the Union (Army, Navy and Air Force), the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, the Territorial Army and works relating to the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. The CDS is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and Principal Military Adviser to Raksha Mantri on all tri-Services matters, and will not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs.
Rank:
Four-star General
Heads:
Department of Military Affairs
Also:
Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee
Advises:
Raksha Mantri, as Principal Military Adviser on tri-Services matters
Why it matters for exams: Role, rank and limits of the CDS, and the DMA's mandate, are frequently asked in defence and polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was set up under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order on August 3, 1954. As per this order, all businesses of the Government of India related to Atomic Energy and to the functions of the Central Government under the Atomic Energy Act, 1948 were to be transacted in the Department. The Atomic Energy Commission, with full executive and financial powers, was set up by a Government resolution dated March 1, 1958. The Atomic Energy Commission is responsible for formulating the policy of the Department of Atomic Energy.
DAE set up by Presidential Order:
August 3, 1954
Atomic Energy Commission set up:
March 1, 1958
Related Act:
Atomic Energy Act, 1948
Why it matters for exams: The origin of India's nuclear administration and the DAE-AEC relationship are standard science and polity facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Lokpal of India was established by virtue of Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 coming into force on 16.01.2014. Its Foundation Day is therefore observed on 16 January. The Chairperson described it as an autonomous, independent and sui generis institution, born of a transformative civil society movement demanding an Ombudsman to combat corruption. The Chief Justice of India, at the same function, noted that Anna Hazare led one of the largest public movements against corruption.
Established under:
Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
Came into force:
16.01.2014
Foundation Day:
16 January
Why it matters for exams: Section and Act under which the anti-corruption ombudsman was set up is a common polity question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Securities and Exchange Board of India was constituted as a non-statutory body on April 12, 1988 through a resolution of the Government of India. It was established as a statutory body in the year 1992, and the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992) came into force on January 30, 1992. The Preamble describes its basic functions as to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market.
Constituted as non-statutory body:
April 12, 1988
Statute:
Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 (15 of 1992)
Act came into force:
January 30, 1992
Why it matters for exams: Origin, statute and Preamble of the capital-market regulator are recurring questions in bank and civil services exams.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
Background
The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The Central Office was initially established in Kolkata but was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. Though originally privately owned, since nationalisation in 1949 the Reserve Bank is fully owned by the Government of India. As the monetary authority it formulates, implements and monitors monetary policy, with the objective of maintaining price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
Established:
April 1, 1935
Founding Act:
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
Central Office moved permanently to Mumbai:
1937
Nationalised:
1949
Why it matters for exams: Founding Act, headquarters shift and nationalisation of the central bank are staple questions in bank, SSC and UPSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
Background
Payyannur was the main venue of the Salt Satyagraha, a major turning point in the Indian Freedom Movement, in Malabar.
On 13 April 1930, a batch of Congress volunteers under the leadership of K. Kelappan started on foot from Kozhikode to the beaches of Payyannur.
They broke the salt laws there on April 21.
The Satyagraha camp at Payyannur was raided and the campers were beaten up.
The Uliyath Kadav Payyanur incident became a turning point in the history of the freedom struggle in Kerala.
Kannur District also saw the revolt led by Pazhassi Raja in the 1792-1806 period, one of the longest and bloodiest resistances to British rule in India.
Main Malabar venue:
Payyannur
Leader of the march:
K. Kelappan
Route:
Kozhikode to Payyannur
Revolt in Kannur District:
Led by Pazhassi Raja
Why it matters for exams: Malabar's role in the freedom movement is a recurring Kerala PSC history topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The State Election Commission is an institution formed under Article 243 (k) of the Constitution of India to conduct elections to local bodies in the State.
Elections to local bodies are conducted under its direct control and supervision.
It holds general elections to all local bodies at the end of the five-year term and also conducts by-elections to fill vacancies.
It also handles the election of Chairpersons and Vice-Chairmen and of members of the Standing Committee.
Proceedings on no-confidence motions against the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Standing Committee Chairmen are governed by an official authorized by the Commission.
Reservation positions of members and councilors in local bodies are determined under its supervision.
The Secretary of the Commission is at Janahitham, Vikas Bhavan P.O., Thiruvananthapuram.
Constitutional basis:
Article 243 (k)
General election cycle:
Five-year term
Office:
Janahitham, Vikas Bhavan P.O., Thiruvananthapuram
Why it matters for exams: Constitutional articles for local-body institutions are standard polity questions in Kerala PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Ombudsman for LSGI began functioning in the year 2000 as a 7 member body with a retired High Court judge as its Chairman.
It was made a single member body through an amendment of the Panchayath Raj Act in the year 2001.
It is a high powered quasi judicial body functioning at the state level with its Head Quarters in the State Capital.
Under the present law, only a former judge of the High Court can be appointed as Ombudsman.
It can conduct investigations and enquiries into mal administration, corruption, favouritism, nepotism, lack of integrity, excessive action, inaction and abuse of position.
The department's page notes that possibly no other State in India has such an institution to oversee local self-government institutions.
Started functioning:
2000
Made single-member:
2001
Who can be appointed:
Only a former judge of the High Court
Headquarters:
State Capital
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's oversight bodies and their qualifications are a recurring Kerala PSC theme.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) has been engaged in capacity building for local governance in Kerala since its establishment in 1990.
It is the Government of Kerala's nodal agency for training, research and consultancy for local self-government institutions, both rural and urban.
Its objectives include training programmes for elected representatives and officials.
It also aims to strengthen the process of de-centralized planning and to undertake action-oriented research.
It documents best practices on local governance for wider dissemination and organises seminars, workshops and discussions.
KILA is listed among the allied institutions of the Local Self Government Department.
Established:
1990
Role:
Nodal agency for training, research and consultancy
Parent department:
Local Self Government Department
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's decentralisation institutions and their roles are recurring Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSC
Background
Kasaragod district, at the northern end of Kerala, was formed on 24th May, 1984.
It was formed on the basis of the order of 19.05.1984, GO (MS) number 520/84 / RD.
The district comprised the Hosdurg and Kasaragod taluks, which were part of undivided Kannur District.
It has Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka to its east and the Arabian Sea to its west.
Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Ananthapuram near Kumbala is the only lake temple in Kerala.
Formed on:
24th May, 1984
Government order:
GO (MS) number 520/84 / RD
Taluks at formation:
Hosdurg and Kasaragod
Parent district:
Kannur
Why it matters for exams: District formation dates and parent districts are frequently asked in Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSC
Background
Pathanamthitta is the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta.
It was formed with effect from the 1st November, 1982 vide G.O. (M.S) No.1026/82/RD dated 29.10.1982.
The district was carved out of erstwhile Alleppey, Quilon and Idukki districts.
At its inception it comprised five taluks: Thiruvalla, Mallappally, Ranni, Kozhenchery and Adoor.
The North Pamba Valley area and the area around Sabarimala Sannidhanam in Peerumade Taluk of Idukki were also included in its jurisdiction.
The district lies on the slopes of the Western Ghats, with the State of Tamil Nadu on its east.
Position among revenue districts:
Thirteenth
Headquarters:
Pathanamthitta
Formed with effect from:
1st November, 1982
Government order:
G.O. (M.S) No.1026/82/RD
Why it matters for exams: District formation details are a staple of Kerala PSC geography questions.
Kerala PSC
29 September 2026
The vote count ended with the Swedish Election Authority announcing that the four left-wing opposition parties won 176 seats in the 349-seat Riksdag, against 173 for the four parties that make up or support the outgoing government.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he will resign, saying in a letter posted on X that he was requesting to be relieved of the office of prime minister so that the Speaker could lead the next stage towards a new government.
Magdalena Andersson, a former Prime Minister and Social Democrat leader, faces tough negotiations to form a coalition government, according to AFP and Reuters reports of 17 September 2026.
The Sweden Democrats received 17.5% of the vote.
Left-wing bloc seats:
176
Riksdag seats:
349
PM who said he will resign:
Ulf Kristersson
Why it matters for exams: A change of government in a NATO and EU member is a likely international-affairs question; the Riksdag has 349 seats.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
Hungary's parliament voted overwhelmingly on 28 September 2026 to lift the immunity of Prime Minister Peter Magyar and two former ministers.
The two are former Culture Minister Balazs Hanko and former National Development Minister Miklos Sesztak.
Orbán's Fidesz party and its ally KDNP boycotted the session.
Magyar requested the removal himself; the step lets prosecutors proceed with criminal investigations against all three.
Magyar's Tisza party ended Viktor Orbán's 16-year rule in a recent landslide election victory.
Prime Minister:
Peter Magyar
Boycotting parties:
Fidesz and KDNP
Orbán's years in power:
16
Why it matters for exams: European politics and parliamentary immunity are current-affairs staples.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The ST & SC Development Department of the Government of Odisha states that Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes together make up nearly 40% of the state's total population, with Scheduled Tribes at 22.85%. Odisha ranks third numerically in Scheduled Tribe population among Indian states. Seven districts are covered fully and six districts partly under the Scheduled Areas of the state.
Scheduled Tribes share:
22.85%
Rank in ST population:
Third
Scheduled Areas:
7 districts fully, 6 partly
Why it matters for exams: Tribal demography and Scheduled Areas are common polity and state-profile questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
The prime minister is the head of government and the monarch is the head of state; the government exercises executive power.
Legislative power is vested in the single-chamber parliament, the Riksdag, with 349 members.
Sweden is a unitary state, divided into 20 counties and 290 municipalities.
Its geographical size is 447 424 km2 and population 10 587 710 (Eurostat, 2025 figures).
Head of state:
Monarch
Head of government:
Prime minister
Riksdag members:
349
Counties / municipalities:
20 / 290
Why it matters for exams: Head of state versus head of government and parliament strength are perennial polity questions for comparative-government papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
Sweden's capital is Stockholm and its official EU language is Swedish.
It has been an EU Member State since 1 January 1995.
Its currency is the Swedish krona (SEK); Sweden has committed to adopt the euro once it fulfils the necessary conditions.
It has been a member of the Schengen area since 25 March 2001.
There are 21 representatives from Sweden in the European Parliament.
Capital:
Stockholm
EU member since:
1 January 1995
Currency:
Swedish krona (SEK)
Schengen member since:
25 March 2001
Why it matters for exams: Capital, currency and EU accession year are standard country-profile questions; Sweden uses the krona, not the euro.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
29 September 2026
The newly elected Riksdag held its first meeting on 28 September 2026, when the new party group leaders were presented.
The Riksdag elected its Deputy Speakers: Johanna Haraldsson (Social Democrats) as First Deputy Speaker, Julia Kronlid (Sweden Democrats) as Second and Kerstin Lundgren (Centre Party) as Third.
The opening of the Riksdag session on 29 September marks the start of the 2026/27 Riksdag session.
The Riksdag is scheduled to elect the members of its committees and the Committee on EU Affairs on 6 October.
First meeting:
28 September 2026
Session opening:
29 September 2026
Committee elections:
6 October
Why it matters for exams: Legislative procedure and office-holders of foreign parliaments feature in polity and international-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York during the High-Level Week of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in September 2026. He said they exchanged views on a number of ongoing issues and took stock of bilateral and BRICS cooperation. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the meeting. In the same week he held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Gulf developments, met Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, and co-chaired the India-Gulf Cooperation Council Troika Ministerial Meeting to review the Joint Action Plan 2024-28.
Meeting:
Jaishankar and Sergey Lavrov
Venue:
81st UNGA High-Level Week, New York
Joint Action Plan reviewed:
India-GCC Joint Action Plan 2024-28
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral meetings and groupings such as BRICS and the GCC are standard international-relations topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC