Background
The Ministry of External Affairs publishes a List of Labour Mobility Agreements, marked As on May 2026. The list is grouped under the Gulf Region, Europe and Oceania/South East Asia. In the Gulf Region the oldest is the Agreement on Regulation of the Employment of Indian Manpower with Qatar, signed 11-04-1985. Oman signed an MOU in the field of Manpower on 08-11-2008 and the UAE an MOU on cooperation in the field of Manpower on 11-02-2018. In Europe, Germany signed an Agreement on Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership on 05.12.2022 and Finland a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement on 05.03.2026. A Memorandum of Understanding Between the EU and India on a Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility is dated 27/01/2026.
List position:
As on May 2026
Qatar agreement signed:
11-04-1985
EU–India mobility MoU:
27/01/2026
Finland agreement signed:
05.03.2026
Why it matters for exams: Labour mobility and migration partnership agreements are frequently asked in Kerala PSC questions on Gulf migration.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Ministry of External Affairs lists India's Social Security Agreements country by country. Agreements with Belgium, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark and the Czech Republic are shown as Active. Also Active are the agreements with South Korea, Norway, Germany, Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Austria, Portugal, Australia, Brazil and the United Kingdom. An Understanding on Social Security between India And Quebec is listed separately under Canada (Quebec). The agreements with Argentina and Poland are shown as Signed and Yet to enter into force. Such agreements protect the social security contributions of Indian professionals posted abroad.
Status of MoU/Agreement:
Active
Argentina and Poland:
Signed and Yet to enter into force
Listed separately:
Canada (Quebec)
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral social security agreements recur in UPSC international relations and in Kerala PSC questions on migrant welfare.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Ministry of External Affairs publishes country-wise data on the Indian Diaspora Abroad. The table is titled Data on Indian Diaspora Abroad (as of January 2026). It counts 19520317 PIOs and 17760528 NRIs, a total of 37280845 Overseas Indians. PIOs means Persons of Indian Origin and NRIs means Non-Resident Indians. Canada records the largest figure with a total of 3247980 Overseas Indians. Australia records 845800 and Fiji records 318364.
Total Overseas Indians:
37280845
PIOs:
19520317
NRIs:
17760528
Canada:
3247980
Why it matters for exams: Diaspora totals and the PIO–NRI distinction are standard questions in Kerala PSC and UPSC general awareness.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Local Self Government Department portal of Kerala lists the Panchayat Directorate, the Urban Affairs Directorate and Rural Development among its departments.
Institutions linked from the portal include the Kerala State Planning Board, Information Kerala Mission, the Local Government Commission and the Kerala Institute of Local Administration.
The Kerala Rural Employment and Welfare Society, Clean Kerala Company, the Kerala State Election Commission and the Kerala Sustainable Urban Development Project are also listed.
Programmes carried on the portal include Basic Service for the Urban poor and the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The portal also has a Gramasabha section and an Urban LB - Master Plan section.
KSMART is being deployed in grama, block and district panchayats.
Directorate:
Panchayat Directorate, Urban Affairs Directorate
Urban employment scheme:
Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme
Training institute:
Kerala Institute of Local Administration
KSMART deployment:
KSMART
Why it matters for exams: Kerala PSC repeatedly asks which agency sits under the Local Self Government Department; the Ayyankali Urban Employment Guarantee Scheme and KILA are frequent answers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) is a statutory non-autonomous body under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Kerala.
State Disaster Management Authorities are statutory bodies constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
The authority's portal publishes the list of SDMA Members, Members of DDMA and Former Technical Members of KSDMA.
It carries Notified Disasters, Disaster Notifications, Disaster Memoranda, Disaster Reports and Disaster Management Plans.
Sections on Disability & Disaster Risk Reduction, Transgender Disaster Risk Reduction and NCRMP – Kerala are linked from the same portal.
Kerala Fire & Rescue Services is also linked from the authority's website.
The website is designed and maintained by CDIT.
Act:
Disaster Management Act, 2005
Chairmanship:
Chief Minister of Kerala
Statutory body:
statutory non-autonomous body
Website maintained by:
CDIT
Why it matters for exams: The statutory basis and the chairmanship of the state disaster management authority are standard Kerala PSC and UPSC governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
During the British regime the Maharaja used to appoint the functionaries of the state of Manipur.
The Rules of Management of the State of Manipur, enforced on September 14, 1935, empowered the Maharaja to appoint the members of the Durbar.
A British Officer acted as the President of the Durbar.
After independence, the Manipur State Constituent Act 1947 provided for a Manipur State Appointment Board as the final authority in all matters of appointments and promotions.
After the merger with the Indian Union, the Chief Commissioner became the appointing authority, subject to the control of the Central Government.
The Manipur Public Service Commission was inaugurated in October 1972.
Rules of Management enforced:
September 14, 1935
Appointment Board provided by:
Manipur State Constituent Act 1947
MPSC inaugurated:
October 1972
Why it matters for exams: The Durbar, the 1947 Manipur State Constituent Act and the Chief Commissioner phase map Manipur's administrative history.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Under Article 315(4) of the Constitution, the Union Public Service Commission agreed to function as the Public Service Commission of the State of Manipur till October 21, 1972.
On October 3, 1972 the Governor of Manipur issued the order of constitution of the Manipur Public Service Commission under Article 318, with one Chairman and two Members.
Shri B.K. Nehru, Governor of Manipur, inaugurated the office of the Commission on October 23, 1972 at the Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal.
Chief Minister Shri Alimuddin presided over the function.
Shri G.B.K. Hooja, MA, IAS was the inaugural Chairman of the Commission.
Shri Karam Gourakishore Singh was the first Secretary of the Manipur Public Service Commission.
Constitution order:
October 3, 1972 under Article 318
Inaugurated by:
Governor Shri B.K. Nehru
Inaugural Chairman:
Shri G.B.K. Hooja, MA, IAS
Venue:
Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal
Why it matters for exams: Articles 315(4) and 318 and the UPSC standing in for a new State's PSC are classic polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Manipur attained statehood on January 21, 1972 under the North-East Area (Re-organisation) Act 1971.
Before that, the Territorial Council was abolished and Manipur was placed under a Chief Commissioner from May 11, 1963 onwards.
In that period it had a Territorial Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers to assist the Chief Commissioner.
Manipur had merged into the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, after which it became a centrally administered area.
It remained centrally administered till October 31, 1956.
During the British regime the Maharaja appointed the functionaries of the state under the Rules of Management of the State of Manipur, enforced on September 14, 1935.
Statehood:
January 21, 1972
Enabling Act:
North-East Area (Re-organisation) Act 1971
Merger with Indian Union:
October 15, 1949
Why it matters for exams: Manipur's statehood date and the parent Act of 1971 are directly asked in polity and history papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The DPA-II Division of the Ministry of External Affairs is the nodal division for implementing the India for Humanity Scheme, in place since 2018.
Under the scheme India offers full financial assistance to implement 60-day artificial limb fitment camps in countries abroad.
The camps are conducted by a travelling team of prosthetic experts from BMVSS, an NGO based in Jaipur, in partnership with the concerned Indian Mission and local hospitals or health departments.
A total of 35 artificial limbs fitment camps have been organised, fitting approximately 20,000 limbs.
The camps have been held in countries including Vietnam, Myanmar, Malawi, Iraq, Egypt, Senegal, Tanzania, Namibia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Syria, Uganda, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Fiji, Lebanon, Cambodia, Palestine, Mongolia, Madagascar and Papua New Guinea.
The same division also runs Centres of Excellence in IT projects abroad: a total of 58 CEIT projects in 47 countries have been implemented, training nearly 2 lakh trainees in subjects like high performance computing, AI/ML and big data.
Camps organised:
35 artificial limbs fitment camps
Limbs fitted:
approximate 20,000 limbs
Camp duration:
60-day
Implementing NGO:
BMVSS of Jaipur
CEIT projects:
58 CEIT projects in 47 countries
Why it matters for exams: India for Humanity and the CEIT projects are examples of India's humanitarian and technology diplomacy that exams ask about by number and partner.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The ITEC scheme of the Ministry of External Affairs provides fully funded training opportunities at Indian training institutions for civilian, defence and paramilitary government professionals from Global South countries.
Courses are offered both on a multi-country basis and on a country-specific customised basis, and include special training packages such as Sagar Amrut for Pacific Island countries and the Quad infrastructure fellowship for Indo-Pacific countries.
Course offerings are differentiated into ITEC-Security for paramilitary officials, ITEC-Executive for senior officials and ITEC-Professionals for practising members of regulated professions.
Since its inception in 1964, the scheme is estimated to have trained close to 400,000 government officials from countries of the Global South.
The scheme currently offers about 12000 slots in almost 400 courses each year for civilian and paramilitary training, and around 3900 slots in over 100 courses each year at defence establishments.
Applications are made through Indian embassies and candidates must be nominated by their governments; the process is administered through a web-based portal.
The scheme is implemented by the DPA-II Division, which also deputes Indian experts abroad and sets up Centres of Excellence in IT.
Inception:
1964
Officials trained:
close to 400,000
Civilian/paramilitary slots a year:
about 12000 slots in almost 400 courses
Defence slots a year:
around 3900 slots
Pacific Island package:
Sagar Amrut
Why it matters for exams: ITEC is India's oldest soft-power capacity-building instrument and its launch year and scale are frequently asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Guided by the development priorities of partner countries, the Government of India extends grant assistance across sectors such as physical and social infrastructure, energy including clean energy transition, connectivity, healthcare and education, disaster resilience and Digital Public Infrastructure.
Over 80 projects have been completed in the last decade across countries in the neighbourhood, the Indian Ocean Region, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Major projects include the Afghan-India Friendship Dam and the Parliament Building in Afghanistan.
In Mauritius they include the Metro Express, the Supreme Court Building, a Civil Services College and a social housing project.
In Nepal they include the Jayanagar-Bardibas Cross Border Rail Link and Integrated Check Posts at Nepalgunj and Birgunj.
In Sri Lanka they include the Indian Housing Project, a multi-specialty hospital in Dickoya and a cultural centre in Jaffna; in Maldives, the National College for Police and Law Enforcement and the Ministry of Defence building.
In Myanmar, India built Sittwe port under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Corridor and the Myanmar Institute of Information Technology.
Other projects include the Gandhi Mandela Centre of Specialization for Artisan Skills in South Africa.
Projects completed in last decade:
over 80 projects
Afghanistan:
Afghan-India Friendship Dam, Parliament Building
Mauritius:
Metro Express, Supreme Court Building
Nepal:
Jayanagar-Bardibas Cross Border Rail Link
Myanmar:
Sittwe port under Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Corridor
Why it matters for exams: Matching Indian-built projects to the correct partner country is a standard question format in international relations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
28 September 2026
The Capacity Building Commission is organising Sādhana Shrinkhla 2026, a nationwide series of regional consultative engagements to transform Training Institutes under Mission Karmayogi into strategic, competency-driven Capacity Building Institutions. Sādhana stands for Strengthening Adaptive Development and Humane Aptitude for National Advancement. Four regional workshops will be held across Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Guwahati (Assam), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) and Pune (Maharashtra). Each regional workshop is planned as a one and a half day event. The series builds on consultations through four Regional Task Forces, Sādhana Saptah 2026 held from 2 to 8 April 2026, and the National Departmental Summit on 'Institutionalizing Capacity Building: From Training to Performance-linked Governance' on 15 May 2026. The regional series commences with the Southern Region at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on 29-30 September 2026. The initiative advances governance based on the ethos of citizen-centricity, described as Nagrik Devo Bhava.
Organiser:
Capacity Building Commission
Parent mission:
Mission Karmayogi
Regional workshop cities:
Vijayawada, Guwahati, Lucknow, Pune
First workshop:
Vijayawada, 29-30 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Mission Karmayogi and the Capacity Building Commission are core polity topics; the acronym Sādhana and the four host cities are direct factual points.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme launched in FY 2021-22 and implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Scheduled Castes constitute 16.6% of India's population. PM-AJAY is a merger of three earlier centrally sponsored schemes: Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP) and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY). It rests on three components, the first being development of SC dominated villages into 'Adarsh Gram'. The Adarsh Gram component has covered 47,243 villages, benefiting more than 47.79 lakh citizens, with 46,944 development works completed and 27,032 Village Development Plans prepared. As on 8 September 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared as Adarsh Grams. Under the Grants-in-Aid component, priority is given to families with annual income not more than Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum; for infrastructure development, villages with 40% or more SC population and total population of 500 or more are eligible. A PM-AJAY Mobile App and PM-AJAY Portal have been launched for implementation.
Launched:
FY 2021-22
Funding pattern:
100% centrally sponsored
Ministry:
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
SC share of population:
16.6%
Adarsh Gram coverage:
47,243 villages; 18,093 declared Adarsh Grams
GIA income priority:
Not more than Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum
Why it matters for exams: PM-AJAY's merger of three predecessor schemes, its implementing ministry and its eligibility thresholds are standard social-justice scheme questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
27 September 2026
The Human Resources Management (R) Department issued a Government Order on 21 September 2026. It invoked Section 24(4) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. It classified the Public (Law and Order) Department as an intelligence and security organisation. That would have shut RTI access to records such as police firing inquiries and custodial death inquiries. The Tamil Nadu government then withdrew the order, within about a week of issuing it.
Order issued:
21 September 2026
RTI Act provision:
Section 24(4)
Department affected:
Public (Law and Order) Department
Why it matters for exams: Section 24(4) and the limits of RTI exemptions are standard polity topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
RTI Act Right to Information Act, 2005 — The law giving citizens a right to seek information held by public authorities.
GO Government Order — A formal executive order issued by a state government department.
27 September 2026
The Kerala Finance Department has issued a government order giving special permission to use MLA constituency Asset Development Fund money of 2026-27 to buy new KSRTC buses.
Each MLA can fund a maximum of three buses.
The KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director was to give MLAs the cost statements by 30 September, and MLAs must send proposals to district collectors by 15 October.
District collectors grant administrative sanction within seven days of receiving a proposal.
KSRTC bears the whole cost of running the buses, including fuel, staff salaries and maintenance, and can redeploy them across services.
Maximum buses per MLA:
3
Proposal deadline to collectors:
15 October
Collector's sanction time:
7 days
Why it matters for exams: A fresh Finance Department order that links legislators' constituency funds to public transport is a typical Kerala PSC polity and administration question.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
KSRTC Kerala State Road Transport Corporation — The state-owned corporation that runs public buses in Kerala.
Asset Development Fund MLA Constituency Asset Development Fund — A yearly fund through which each MLA proposes works that create public assets in the constituency.
27 September 2026
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India and Canada were preparing to take their relationship "to a higher level" after a discussion with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. In a post on X he described the meeting as a productive discussion held as the two sides prepare to raise the relationship. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had said at the UN that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada around December, and that Ottawa was making good progress in its trade negotiations with India towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. On the same UNGA sidelines Jaishankar met Venezuela's Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia Gonzalez and said energy ties were gaining momentum. He also met Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and Mexico's Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Alvarez.
Canadian Foreign Minister:
Anita Anand
Canadian Prime Minister:
Mark Carney
Trade agreement under negotiation:
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Other ministers met:
Venezuela, Belarus and Mexico
Why it matters for exams: The India-Canada trade negotiation and the CEPA framework are current bilateral-relations topics for UPSC and PSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, said India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism and that countries sponsoring cross-border terrorism must be held accountable. "There must be no dilution in our zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism," he said, adding that the financial aspects of terrorism must be exposed and countered. He said "Friendship and goodwill cannot co-exist with terrorism." On the conflict in the Gulf he called for restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilians, and opposed attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers using international waterways. On the Ukraine conflict, now in its fifth year, he cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's position that "endless war must give way now, to an end to war". On West Asia he said a durable peace required a Two-State solution and pointed to India's humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people.
UNGA session:
81st session
Speaker:
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
Stand on West Asia:
Two-State solution
Year of the Ukraine conflict:
Fifth year
Why it matters for exams: India's national statement at the UNGA is a standard source for questions on India's stand on terrorism, Ukraine and West Asia.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
The Prime Minister broadcast the 138th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 27 September 2026.
He urged citizens to use the census self-enumeration portal se.census.gov.in, and said more than 2.6 crore people have already completed self-enumeration.
He said the first phase of the census is nearly complete in all states and union territories, with data of over 32 crore families recorded.
He said Anganwadi centres are digitally linked through the Poshan Tracker, with about 9 crore beneficiaries registered on the platform.
He spoke of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan, a 100-week campaign, and of the MY Bharat platform for youth participation.
He mentioned around 100 amla processing units in Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh under One District One Product, mangrove planting by women of Jharkhali in the Sundarbans, and the rise of the pygmy hog population in Assam from six to over 190.
He paid tribute to Ashok Singhal, former International Working President of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, on his 100th birth anniversary.
Episode:
138th
Self-enumerations completed:
More than 2.6 crore people
Families in census first phase:
Over 32 crore
Poshan Tracker beneficiaries:
About 9 crore
Why it matters for exams: Mann Ki Baat episode numbers, census self-enumeration figures and scheme reach numbers are frequently asked.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Swiss voters went to the polls on 27 September 2026 on a proposal to enshrine stricter neutrality in the constitution.
The proposal, brought by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, would bar Switzerland from joining or cooperating with military alliances unless it is attacked, and from imposing sanctions without United Nations approval.
Supporters say neutrality has kept Switzerland out of wars and allows it to act as a mediator.
The Swiss government and most political parties opposed the proposal, saying it could weaken national security and restrict military cooperation with NATO.
A recent survey showed 68 per cent opposed and 31 per cent in favour of the measure.
Date of vote:
27 September 2026
Proposed by:
Swiss People's Party
Recent survey:
68 per cent opposed, 31 per cent in favour
Why it matters for exams: Swiss direct democracy, the limits it places on foreign policy, and the link between sanctions and United Nations authorisation are standard international-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan was the chief guest at the 73rd birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi at Amritapuri in Kollam district on 27 September 2026.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan attended the function.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi were also present.
A cheque for ₹2 crore was handed over to Nepal's Ambassador to India, Surendra Thapa, for relief work in the flood-affected areas of Nepal.
The Vice President later attended the graduation ceremony of SUT Academy at Balaramapuram in Thiruvananthapuram.
Relief assistance handed over:
₹2 crore
Occasion:
73rd birthday of Mata Amritanandamayi
Venue:
Amritapuri, Kollam district
Why it matters for exams: Questions link the Vice President's engagements, the current Kerala Governor and Chief Minister, and India's relief assistance to neighbouring Nepal.
Kerala PSCUPSC