Kerala PSC Current Affairs — 10 May 2026

Today’s digest covers critical governance challenges in Kerala, including water conservation deficits and rising health concerns like hantavirus. National headlines highlight political transitions in Tamil Nadu, Centre’s remarks on minority demographics, and CBI’s action against corporate fraud. International updates focus on geopolitical tensions and global health alerts.

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Kerala News

1. Water conservation crisis in Kochi Corporation

• A study conducted as part of preparing a water budget found that water availability in Kochi Corporation slips into deficit from late November to early May.
• The deficit period highlights the urgent need for sustainable water management and conservation measures in urban Kerala.

PSC relevance: Kerala Geography, Water Resources, Urban Governance

2. Hantavirus: Emerging pathogen concern in Kerala

• Antibodies against hantavirus were reported in blood samples from Kerala in 2008, indicating prior exposure.
• A probable case of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome caused by hantavirus was reported in 2014 in the state.
• Experts warn that several leptospirosis-like illnesses with rapid mortality could be due to hantavirus or co-infection with leptospirosis.

PSC relevance: Science & Technology, Public Health, Emerging Diseases

3. Congress deadlock over Kerala Chief Minister post

• The high command has until May 23, 2026 to finalise the Congress Chief Minister candidate for Kerala.
• Senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, expressed dismay over poster wars and public marches disrupting party unity.
• Deepa Dasmunsi, Kerala in-charge general secretary, confirmed the high command’s timeline after a three-hour meeting failed to resolve the impasse.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Constitutional Provisions (Article 356), Party System

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National News

4. Muslim population growth projection in India

• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the Muslim population in India may match that of Indonesia after the next Census.
• Rijiju dismissed claims of minorities being under threat, alleging political organisations are spreading fear among Muslims and Christians.

PSC relevance: Indian Demography, Census Data, Minority Rights

5. CBI raids Reliance ADA Group entities

• The CBI conducted searches at 17 locations linked to Reliance ADA Group in multiple cases filed over alleged frauds.
• The cases were registered based on complaints from Public Sector Banks and LIC, involving alleged financial irregularities worth thousands of crores.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy, Corporate Governance, Banking Frauds

6. Tamil Nadu CM to be sworn in on May 10, 2026

• TVK president Vijay will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026, leading a coalition government.
• TVK secured support from five Congress MLAs-elect, two each from CPI, CPI(M), VCK, and IUML, taking the tally to 120 MLAs in the Assembly.
• A vote of confidence is scheduled in the Assembly by May 13, 2026 to validate the majority.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, State Governance, Floor Test, Article 164

7. Governor’s role in hung Assembly: Tamil Nadu case

• Governor Rajendra Arlekar refused to swear in TVK chief Vijay as Tamil Nadu CM, citing constitutional provisions on floor test and majority proof.
• The Supreme Court has ruled that the floor test is the best method to prove majority in a hung Assembly situation.
• The primary objective of the Governor in such cases is to ensure constitutional stability and adherence to democratic norms.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Constitutional Provisions (Article 163, 164), Supreme Court Judgments

8. Punjab Congress to release ‘chargesheet’ against AAP government

• The Punjab Congress will release a ‘chargesheet’ highlighting corruption and lawlessness under the AAP government ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
• Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel cited the dire state of affairs in Punjab during the meeting.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, State Governance, Anti-Corruption Measures

9. Kejriwal alleges ‘atrocities’ by PM Modi over ED raids in Punjab

• Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal compared ED raids in Punjab to the atrocities of Aurangzeb, accusing PM Modi of targeting political opponents.
• The raids were conducted amid escalating tensions between the AAP government and the central agencies.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Federalism, Enforcement Directorate (ED)

10. Neem tree mortality rises in Andhra Pradesh

• Scientists attribute the increased mortality of neem trees in Andhra Pradesh to dieback disease caused by Phomopsis Azadirachtae fungus and Tea Mosquito Bug infestation.
• The YSR Horticulture University Vice-Chancellor, Dr. K Dhanumjaya Rao, confirmed the findings.

PSC relevance: Environment & Ecology, Plant Pathology, Agricultural Science

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International News

11. Putin claims Ukraine war winding down; offers peace talks

• Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukraine war is winding down and expressed readiness for peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country.
• Putin insisted that all conditions for a potential peace agreement must be settled before any meeting takes place.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Geopolitics, Conflict Resolution

12. UN warns of escalating attacks in eastern DRC

• The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) issued a warning about a wave of attacks in the mineral-rich eastern region.
• The DRC has been plagued by conflict involving armed groups, militia, and army troops for over three decades.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Peacekeeping, African Geopolitics

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10 MCQs

Q1. As per a recent study, during which months does Kochi Corporation face a water deficit?

Options: A. January to March B. Late November to early May C. April to June D. August to October

Answer: B

Explanation: The study found that water availability in Kochi Corporation slips into deficit from late November to early May.

Q2. When were antibodies against hantavirus first reported in Kerala?

Options: A. 2010 B. 2008 C. 2012 D. 2014

Answer: B

Explanation: Antibodies against hantavirus were reported in blood samples from Kerala in 2008.

Q3. What is the deadline set by the Congress high command to finalise the Kerala Chief Minister candidate?

Options: A. May 15, 2026 B. May 23, 2026 C. May 30, 2026 D. June 5, 2026

Answer: B

Explanation: The high command has until May 23, 2026 to finalise the Congress Chief Minister candidate for Kerala.

Q4. Which Union Minister dismissed claims of minorities being under threat in India?

Options: A. Amit Shah B. Kiren Rijiju C. Nirmala Sitharaman D. Piyush Goyal

Answer: B

Explanation: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed claims that minorities are under threat in the country.

Q5. How many locations were raided by the CBI in the Reliance ADA Group cases?

Options: A. 10 B. 15 C. 17 D. 20

Answer: C

Explanation: The CBI conducted searches at 17 locations linked to Reliance ADA Group.

Q6. Who will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026?

Options: A. M.K. Stalin B. Vijay (TVK president) C. Edappadi K. Palaniswami D. Kamal Haasan

Answer: B

Explanation: TVK president Vijay will be sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026.

Q7. By when must the Tamil Nadu Assembly conduct a vote of confidence after the new CM’s swearing-in?

Options: A. May 15, 2026 B. May 20, 2026 C. May 13, 2026 D. May 25, 2026

Answer: C

Explanation: A vote of confidence is scheduled in the Assembly by May 13, 2026 to validate the majority.

Q8. Which constitutional provision empowers the Governor to ensure a floor test in a hung Assembly?

Options: A. Article 163 B. Article 164 C. Article 356 D. Article 324

Answer: A

Explanation: Article 163 empowers the Governor to act in matters related to the state government, including ensuring a floor test.

Q9. Which university’s Vice-Chancellor confirmed the rise in neem tree mortality in Andhra Pradesh?

Options: A. Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University B. YSR Horticulture University C. Sri Venkateswara University D. Andhra University

Answer: B

Explanation: Dr. K Dhanumjaya Rao, Vice-Chancellor of YSR Horticulture University, confirmed the findings on neem tree mortality.

Q10. Which international organisation issued a warning about escalating attacks in eastern DRC?

Options: A. African Union B. United Nations C. European Union D. NATO

Answer: B

Explanation: The UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo issued a warning about a wave of attacks in the eastern region.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kerala Water Crisis	Kochi Corporation faces water deficit from late November to early May, necessitating urgent conservation measures.
2	Hantavirus in Kerala	Hantavirus antibodies detected in Kerala since 2008; experts warn of potential co-infections with leptospirosis.
3	Congress CM Deadlock	Congress high command has until May 23, 2026 to finalise Kerala CM candidate amid internal party turmoil.
4	Muslim Population Growth	Union Minister Kiren Rijiju projects Muslim population in India may match Indonesia’s post-Census.
5	CBI vs Reliance ADA	CBI raids 17 locations linked to Reliance ADA Group over alleged frauds worth thousands of crores.
6	Tamil Nadu CM Swearing-In	TVK president Vijay to be sworn in as Tamil Nadu CM on May 10, 2026, with coalition support of 120 MLAs.
7	Governor’s Role in Hung Assembly	Supreme Court rules floor test as best method to prove majority; Governor’s role is to ensure constitutional stability.
8	Punjab Congress Chargesheet	Punjab Congress to release ‘chargesheet’ against AAP government citing corruption and lawlessness ahead of 2027 elections.
9	Neem Tree Mortality in AP	Neem tree mortality in Andhra Pradesh rises due to dieback disease caused by Phomopsis Azadirachtae fungus and Tea Mosquito Bug.
10	Putin on Ukraine War	Putin claims Ukraine war is winding down and offers peace talks with Zelenskyy if all conditions for agreement are met.

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