Kerala PSC Current Affairs — 18 May 2026

Today’s current affairs digest covers a range of topics, from Kerala’s new cabinet to India’s strategic partnership with Sweden. We also look at issues related to organ donation and international conflicts. The mix of topics provides a comprehensive overview of current events relevant to Kerala PSC aspirants.

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Kerala News

1. Kerala Cabinet Formation

• The UDF has finalized its Kerala Cabinet list, with IUML getting five ministerial posts.
• Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will be the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly.
• The 21-member Cabinet, including CM-designate Satheesan, will take oath on May 18.

PSC relevance: Kerala Politics, Cabinet Formation

2. Organ Donation Issues

• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has highlighted the legal complexities in organ donation, which contribute to the existence of illegal organ trafficking networks.
• The IMA has called for an increase in the salaries of junior doctors, demanding a minimum wage of ₹80,000 for doctors working 48 hours per week.

PSC relevance: Social Issues, Healthcare

3. Kerala Representation in Cabinet

• Ernakulam will have strong representation in the Cabinet, with the CM and three Ministers.
• Angamaly MLA Roji M. John, Piravom MLA Anoop Jacob, and Kalamassery MLA V. E. Abdul Gafoor will be sworn in as Ministers.

PSC relevance: Kerala Politics, Cabinet Representation

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National News

4. India-Sweden Strategic Partnership

• India and Sweden have agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.
• The two countries will enhance cooperation in areas like trade, investment, and innovation.
• Sweden has conferred the Royal Order of Polar Star upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his 31st global honour.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Diplomacy

5. NEET UG Leak

• The CBI has conducted searches at Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur in connection with the NEET UG leak.
• The search operation was part of the ongoing investigation into the leak.

PSC relevance: Education, Examination Reforms

6. E-Buses and Privatization

• The government has clarified that the introduction of e-buses will not lead to the privatization of the RTC.
• The government is committed to providing safe, affordable, and efficient transport services through the APSRTC.

PSC relevance: Transportation, Public Sector Undertakings

7. Labour Unrest in Dehradun

• Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the Dehradun industrial area following labour unrest.
• Workers had launched protests demanding a wage hike from their respective managements.

PSC relevance: Labour Relations, Industrial Disputes

8. New Railway Lines

• Around 1,750 km of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka since 2014.
• A new Bengaluru-Mumbai Express has been flagged off, and a Vande Bharat sleeper service is planned.

PSC relevance: Infrastructure Development, Railways

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International News

9. Iran-Israel Conflict

• The Iran-Israel conflict continues, with the UAE reporting a drone strike at a nuclear power plant.
• The situation remains tense, with the US weighing in on the issue.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Conflict Resolution

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10 MCQs

Q1. Who will be the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly?

Options: A. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan B. V. E. Abdul Gafoor C. Roji M. John D. Anoop Jacob

Answer: A

Explanation: Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will be the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly.

Q2. What is the minimum wage demanded by the IMA for junior doctors?

Options: A. ₹50,000 B. ₹60,000 C. ₹70,000 D. ₹80,000

Answer: D

Explanation: The IMA has demanded a minimum wage of ₹80,000 for junior doctors working 48 hours per week.

Q3. Which country has conferred the Royal Order of Polar Star upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi?

Options: A. Sweden B. Norway C. Denmark D. Finland

Answer: A

Explanation: Sweden has conferred the Royal Order of Polar Star upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Q4. What is the name of the chemistry classes searched by the CBI in connection with the NEET UG leak?

Options: A. Renukai Chemistry Classes B. Kumar Chemistry Classes C. Sharma Chemistry Classes D. Jain Chemistry Classes

Answer: A

Explanation: The CBI has conducted searches at Renukai Chemistry Classes in Latur.

Q5. How many kilometers of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka since 2014?

Options: A. 1,000 km B. 1,250 km C. 1,500 km D. 1,750 km

Answer: D

Explanation: Around 1,750 km of new railway lines have been constructed in Karnataka since 2014.

Q6. What is the name of the new express train flagged off recently?

Options: A. Bengaluru-Mumbai Express B. Chennai-Delhi Express C. Hyderabad-Kolkata Express D. Pune-Ahmedabad Express

Answer: A

Explanation: A new Bengaluru-Mumbai Express has been flagged off.

Q7. Which of the following is NOT a reason for the existence of illegal organ trafficking networks?

Options: A. Lack of awareness about organ donation B. Legal complexities in organ donation C. Insufficient supply of organs D. Presence of e-buses

Answer: D

Explanation: The presence of e-buses is not a reason for the existence of illegal organ trafficking networks.

Q8. What is the name of the industrial area where prohibitory orders have been imposed due to labour unrest?

Options: A. Dehradun industrial area B. Bengaluru industrial area C. Chennai industrial area D. Hyderabad industrial area

Answer: A

Explanation: Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the Dehradun industrial area.

Q9. Which of the following is a consequence of the Iran-Israel conflict?

Options: A. Drone strike at a nuclear power plant B. Introduction of e-buses C. Increase in the salaries of junior doctors D. Flagging off of a new express train

Answer: A

Explanation: The Iran-Israel conflict has led to a drone strike at a nuclear power plant.

Q10. What is the name of the service planned to be introduced by the railways?

Options: A. Vande Bharat sleeper service B. Tejas sleeper service C. Shatabdi sleeper service D. Rajdhani sleeper service

Answer: A

Explanation: A Vande Bharat sleeper service is planned to be introduced by the railways.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kerala Cabinet	Kerala Cabinet formation updates, with UDF finalizing its list and IUML getting five ministerial posts.
2	India-Sweden Ties	India and Sweden have agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership.
3	Organ Donation	The IMA has highlighted the legal complexities in organ donation, contributing to the existence of illegal organ trafficking networks.
4	NEET UG Leak	The CBI has conducted searches at Renukai Chemistry Classes in connection with the NEET UG leak.
5	E-Buses	The government has clarified that the introduction of e-buses will not lead to the privatization of the RTC.

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