Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 13 August 2026

Today’s digest covers key governance and policy developments in Kerala and across India. It highlights constitutional amendments, social sector judgments, and administrative reforms that align with Kerala PSC syllabus areas. The selection prioritizes factual clarity and PSC-relevant topics.

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Kerala News

1. Kerala’s name change to Keralam

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, on August 11, 2026.
• The Kerala Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution in 2024 urging the Centre to bring a law to change the state’s name to Keralam.

PSC relevance: Article 3 (Parliament’s power to alter names of states), State Reorganisation Act

2. NRI bonds proposed for Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod high-speed rail

• A Pravasi trust has suggested raising funds from NRKs for the proposed high-speed railway between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod.
• The trust proposed issuing a secured, redeemable, and tax-free non-convertible bond to NRKs for the project.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy (Infrastructure financing, NRI investments)

3. Safety concerns over abandoned quarries in Ernakulam

• Officials inspected a water-filled abandoned quarry in Kayanad following landslip reports and suspected seepage.
• Preliminary reports ruled out immediate danger but recommended a detailed multi-department inquiry.
• Authorities identified around 80 abandoned quarries in Ernakulam district.

PSC relevance: Kerala Geography (Environmental hazards, disaster management)

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National News

4. Rajasthan Minister protests for sanitation workers

• A protest by a minister in support of sanitation workers in Rajasthan was called off after five hours when an Additional District Magistrate reached the site with appointment letters.
• The protest highlighted issues related to sanitation worker welfare and administrative responsiveness.

PSC relevance: Public Administration (Civil services, welfare schemes)

5. Madhya Pradesh High Court rules on rape survivors’ abortion rights

• The Madhya Pradesh High Court ruled that rape survivors do not need court approval to terminate pregnancies up to 24 weeks under the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971.
• The court cited a Division Bench verdict in Jabalpur to clarify the legal position.

PSC relevance: Constitutional Law (Fundamental Rights, MTP Act 1971)

6. Parliamentary panel to review FCRA Bill

• The Lok Sabha passed a motion to refer the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
• The JPC must submit its report in the first week of the Winter Session.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity (Parliamentary procedures, FCRA 2010)

7. Andhra Pradesh CM advocates value addition to beach sand minerals

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu called for value addition to beach sand minerals, emphasizing economic potential.
• The Adani Group briefed the CM about a proposed ₹16,000 crore titanium plant in Srikakulam district.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy (Mineral resources, industrial policy)

8. Tribal health crisis in Madhya Pradesh linked to faith healing

• An outbreak in the Baiga tribal community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), led to seven child deaths due to reliance on faith healing over modern medicine.
• The Baiga community is known for ancient practices and rituals.

PSC relevance: Social Justice (Tribal welfare, health policies)

9. Chief Minister directs police to intensify action against drugs and social media crimes

• The Chief Minister cautioned police against leniency towards criminals and directed intensified action against ganja, drugs, and social media-driven criminal activity.
• The CM emphasized evolving police methods and strengthening technology integration.

PSC relevance: Public Order (Narcotics control, cybercrime)

10. Independence Day cultural showcase at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• The Rashtrapati Bhavan Independence Day reception will feature folk dances and musical traditions from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
• Artists will present Maharashtra’s Lavani and Songhi Mukhawate among other performances.

PSC relevance: Culture (Folk arts, constitutional provisions for cultural promotion)

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which constitutional amendment or legislative action enabled the change of Kerala’s name to Keralam?

Options: A. The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 B. The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 passed by Parliament C. A Supreme Court directive in 2025 D. A resolution by the Kerala Legislative Council

Answer: B

Explanation: The Rajya Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, on August 11, 2026, enabling the name change to Keralam.

Q2. What type of financial instrument has been proposed by a Pravasi trust to fund the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod high-speed rail project?

Options: A. Sovereign gold bonds B. Secured, redeemable, and tax-free non-convertible bonds C. Municipal bonds with 5-year maturity D. Foreign currency convertible bonds

Answer: B

Explanation: The Pravasi trust suggested issuing a secured, redeemable, and tax-free non-convertible bond to NRKs for the high-speed rail project.

Q3. Under which Act did the Madhya Pradesh High Court rule that rape survivors do not need court approval to terminate pregnancies up to 24 weeks?

Options: A. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 B. Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971 C. Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 D. Criminal Procedure Code, 1973

Answer: B

Explanation: The Madhya Pradesh High Court cited the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, 1971, to rule on abortion rights for rape survivors.

Q4. Which parliamentary committee has been tasked with reviewing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026?

Options: A. Standing Committee on Home Affairs B. Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) C. Estimates Committee D. Public Accounts Committee

Answer: B

Explanation: The Lok Sabha referred the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for review.

Q5. Which tribal community in Madhya Pradesh faced a health crisis due to reliance on faith healing over modern medicine?

Options: A. Gond B. Baiga C. Bhil D. Santhal

Answer: B

Explanation: The Baiga tribal community, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), faced a health crisis linked to faith healing practices.

Q6. What was the outcome of the Rajasthan minister’s protest in support of sanitation workers?

Options: A. The protest continued for 24 hours B. The protest was called off after five hours when an ADM reached the site with appointment letters C. The protest led to the resignation of the minister D. The protest was declared illegal by the High Court

Answer: B

Explanation: The protest was called off after five hours when an Additional District Magistrate reached the site with appointment letters.

Q7. Which state’s Chief Minister advocated value addition to beach sand minerals and discussed a ₹16,000 crore titanium plant?

Options: A. Tamil Nadu B. Karnataka C. Andhra Pradesh D. Odisha

Answer: C

Explanation: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu called for value addition to beach sand minerals and discussed a ₹16,000 crore titanium plant in Srikakulam district.

Q8. What did the preliminary report on the Kayanad landslip in Ernakulam district conclude?

Options: A. Immediate evacuation of nearby residents was necessary B. Immediate danger was ruled out, but a detailed multi-department inquiry was recommended C. The landslip was caused by illegal quarrying activities D. The quarry was operational and posed no risk

Answer: B

Explanation: Preliminary reports ruled out immediate danger but recommended a detailed multi-department inquiry into the Kayanad landslip.

Q9. Which folk art form from Maharashtra will be featured at the Independence Day reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan?

Options: A. Dhangari Gaja B. Lavani C. Bihu D. Garba

Answer: B

Explanation: Maharashtra’s Lavani and Songhi Mukhawate will be presented at the Independence Day reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Q10. What action did the Chief Minister direct police to take regarding ganja and drugs?

Options: A. Decriminalize possession of small quantities B. Intensify action against ganja, drugs, and social media-driven criminal activity C. Legalize cannabis for medicinal use D. Outsource drug control to private agencies

Answer: B

Explanation: The Chief Minister directed police to intensify action against ganja, drugs, and social media-driven criminal activity.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kerala name change	Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 passed by Rajya Sabha on August 11, 2026.
2	NRI bonds for rail project	Pravasi trust proposes tax-free non-convertible bonds for Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod high-speed rail.
3	Abandoned quarries safety	Kayanad landslip prompts inquiry into 80 abandoned quarries in Ernakulam district.
4	MP High Court abortion ruling	Rape survivors can terminate pregnancies up to 24 weeks without court approval under MTP Act, 1971.
5	FCRA Bill referred to JPC	Lok Sabha refers Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, to JPC for review.
6	AP CM on beach sand minerals	Andhra Pradesh CM advocates value addition to beach sand minerals; ₹16,000 crore titanium plant proposed.
7	Tribal health crisis in MP	Baiga tribal community faces health crisis due to reliance on faith healing over modern medicine.
8	Rajasthan sanitation protest	Rajasthan minister’s protest for sanitation workers called off after ADM reached site with appointment letters.
9	Independence Day cultural showcase	Rashtrapati Bhavan to feature folk arts from Chhattisgarh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
10	Police action on drugs	Chief Minister directs police to intensify action against ganja, drugs, and social media-driven crimes.

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Sources: The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB. Compiled via RSS feeds and verified at time of publication.