Kerala PSC Current Affairs — 04 May 2026

Today’s digest is dominated by election counting across several Indian states, including Kerala, as results are awaited. We also delve into significant bilateral relations, a unique national achievement, and global geopolitical developments.

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Kerala News

1. Kerala Assembly Election Counting Underway

• Counting of votes for the Kerala Assembly elections 2026 is underway on May 4, 2026.
• The state has 140 counting centres across 43 locations.
• A total of 883 candidates were in the fray, with a voter turnout of 79.7% from the 2.71 crore-strong electorate.
• In Ernakulam, strong rooms opened at 6:30 a.m., with counting beginning at 8 a.m., starting with postal ballots followed by EVMs.

PSC relevance: Elections, State Politics, Election Commission of India (ECI), Governance

2. Monsoon Preparedness in Kozhikode District

• A meeting was held to review monsoon preparedness in Kozhikode district.
• Measures will focus on ensuring water sanitation, the safety of school buildings, and the cleanliness of wells and drinking water tanks in schools.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management, Public Health, Local Self-Government

3. Summer Rain Batters Thrissur

• Strong winds and summer rain have caused damage in Thrissur district.
• The adverse weather led to damage to houses, uprooted trees, and disruption of festival events in the Irinjalakuda region.

PSC relevance: Geography of Kerala, Disaster Management, Environmental Issues

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National News

4. India-Nepal Border Customs Dispute

• Nepalese law enforcement agencies are pushing for customs duty on Indian goods above ₹100.
• This move has alarmed people living along the Indo-Nepal border, threatening to disrupt the traditionally open border and centuries-old relationships.

PSC relevance: India’s Foreign Policy, India-Nepal Relations, International Borders, Economy

5. Assembly Election Counting Across India

• Counting of votes is taking place for Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry.
• In Assam, both alliances are confident of bagging at least 64 seats in the 126-member Assembly.
• In Tamil Nadu, all eyes are on Vijay’s TVK, with exit polls giving DMK+ an advantage, but Axis My India projecting 98-120 seats for TVK.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has assured triple-layer security at all counting centres.

PSC relevance: Elections, Indian Political System, Election Commission of India (ECI), State Politics

6. Andaman Sets Two Guinness World Records

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands achieved two Guinness World Records in two days.
• One record was for the tallest underwater human stack, formed by fourteen people, including Lieutenant-Governor D.K. Joshi.
• The stack was 22.3-metres-long, and participants stayed underwater for three minutes.

PSC relevance: Current Affairs, Indian Union Territories, Records

7. India-Jamaica Ties Emphasized by Jaishankar

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India-Jamaica ties are characterized by ‘continuity and change’.
• In an interview with The Jamaican Gleaner, he stressed the need for both countries to build a deeper and more resilient partnership.

PSC relevance: India’s Foreign Policy, International Relations, Diplomacy

8. Concerns Over Press Freedom on World Press Freedom Day

• On World Press Freedom Day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that independent journalism is punished, and compliance rewarded under the current regime.
• He highlighted that sections of the media have been reduced to echoing the ruling establishment, while those asking questions are “targeted relentlessly”.

PSC relevance: Fundamental Rights (Freedom of Speech and Expression), Media Ethics, Governance, Indian Constitution

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International News

9. Trump Announces ‘Project Freedom’ for Strait of Hormuz

• Former US President Donald Trump announced ‘Project Freedom’ to help stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz.
• The project is set to begin on Monday, May 4, 2026, in West Asia.
• Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s national security commission, stated that any US action in the Strait would be a breach of ceasefire.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Geopolitics, Maritime Security, West Asian Politics

10. Nepal Raises Kailash Yatra Concerns Over Lipulekh

• Ahead of Foreign Secretary Misri’s expected visit, Nepal expressed concern to India and China regarding the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra over Lipulekh Pass.
• Nepal reiterated its territorial claim to the Lipulekh Pass.
• India maintains that the border pass has been a long-standing route for the yatra since 1954.

PSC relevance: India-Nepal Relations, India-China Relations, International Borders, Geography, Diplomacy

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10 MCQs

Q1. How many counting centres are set up across Kerala for the Assembly elections 2026?

Options: A. 43 B. 140 C. 883 D. 2.71 crore

Answer: B

Explanation: Kerala will have 140 counting centres across 43 locations.

Q2. What percentage of the electorate exercised their franchise in the Kerala Assembly polls 2026?

Options: A. 64% B. 79.7% C. 88.3% D. 98%

Answer: B

Explanation: Kerala had a voter turnout of 79.7% from the 2.71 crore-strong electorate.

Q3. Which district in Kerala held a meeting to review monsoon preparedness, focusing on water sanitation and school building safety?

Options: A. Thrissur B. Ernakulam C. Kozhikode D. Palakkad

Answer: C

Explanation: A meeting was held to review monsoon preparedness in Kozhikode district.

Q4. What is Nepal proposing regarding customs duty on Indian goods at the Indo-Nepal border?

Options: A. Duty on all goods B. Duty on goods above ₹100 C. Duty on goods above ₹500 D. No duty at all

Answer: B

Explanation: Nepalese law enforcement agencies are pushing for customs duty on Indian goods above ₹100.

Q5. What is the simple majority mark in the 126-member Assam Assembly?

Options: A. 60 B. 64 C. 70 D. 126

Answer: B

Explanation: In Assam, both alliances are confident of bagging at least 64 seats, the simple majority mark in the 126-member Assembly.

Q6. Which political party, led by Vijay, is being closely watched in the Tamil Nadu Assembly election results?

Options: A. DMK B. AIADMK C. TVK D. BJP

Answer: C

Explanation: In Tamil Nadu, all eyes are on Vijay’s TVK.

Q7. How many people, including the Lieutenant-Governor, formed the tallest underwater human stack in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

Options: A. Ten B. Twelve C. Fourteen D. Sixteen

Answer: C

Explanation: The tallest underwater human stack was formed by fourteen people, including Lieutenant-Governor D.K. Joshi.

Q8. Who is the External Affairs Minister of India who commented on India-Jamaica ties?

Options: A. Mallikarjun Kharge B. Nayab Saini C. S. Jaishankar D. D.K. Joshi

Answer: C

Explanation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that India-Jamaica ties are characterized by ‘continuity and change’.

Q9. What is the name of the initiative announced by Donald Trump to help stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz?

Options: A. Operation Liberty B. Project Freedom C. Strait Security Initiative D. Hormuz Rescue Mission

Answer: B

Explanation: Former US President Donald Trump announced ‘Project Freedom’ to help stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz.

Q10. Which geographical feature is at the center of Nepal’s territorial claim and Kailash Manasarovar Yatra concerns?

Options: A. Mount Everest B. Kanchenjunga C. Lipulekh Pass D. Annapurna

Answer: C

Explanation: Nepal expressed concern to India and China regarding the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra over Lipulekh Pass and reiterated its territorial claim to it.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kerala Polls	Counting underway for Kerala Assembly elections with 79.7% turnout across 140 centres.
2	Kozhikode Monsoon	Monsoon preparedness meeting in Kozhikode focused on water sanitation and school safety measures.
3	Thrissur Rain	Summer rain and strong winds caused damage to houses and disrupted festivals in Thrissur.
4	India-Nepal Border	Nepal seeks customs duty on Indian goods above ₹100, alarming border residents.
5	Election Counting	Vote counting for Assembly elections in Assam, TN (TVK focus), WB, Puducherry, and Kerala is underway with tight security.
6	Andaman Records	Andaman and Nicobar Islands set two Guinness World Records, including the tallest underwater human stack (14 people, 22.3m).
7	India-Jamaica Ties	EAM S. Jaishankar highlighted ‘continuity and change’ in India-Jamaica relations, urging deeper partnership.
8	Press Freedom	Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns about independent journalism being punished on World Press Freedom Day.
9	Strait of Hormuz	Donald Trump announced ‘Project Freedom’ to help stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz, drawing Iranian concern.
10	Lipulekh Pass	Nepal raised territorial claim and Kailash Yatra concerns over Lipulekh Pass to India and China.

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