Kerala PSC Current Affairs — 20 May 2026

Today’s current affairs digest covers a range of topics, from law and order in Kerala to international relations and economic developments. The news items have been carefully selected to provide relevant information for Kerala PSC aspirants.

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Kerala News

1. Kerala Police Bust Human Trafficking Racket

• Kerala Police has busted a human trafficking racket that lured women to Dubai with promises of modelling jobs.
• The Maradu police have arrested three women in connection with the case, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to further investigate.

PSC relevance: Law and Order, Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty)

2. ASHAs to Hold Victory March in Thiruvananthapuram

• The Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) will hold a victory march in Thiruvananthapuram on May 21 to express their satisfaction with the new Kerala government’s response to their demands.
• The KAHWA members have expressed satisfaction with the positive manner in which the new government has taken up their demand for decent wages.

PSC relevance: Health and Family Welfare, National Health Mission (NHM)

3. Madhu Lynching Case: HC Directs Accused to Appear

• The Kerala High Court has directed the accused in the Madhu lynching case to appear before it on May 25.
• The court is expected to pronounce its verdict in the case on the same day.

PSC relevance: Law and Order, Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty)

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National News

4. India Meets Record Peak Power Demand

• India has successfully met a record peak power demand of 260.45 GW.
• Thermal power accounted for about 62.5% of the power generated when the peak demand was met.

PSC relevance: Energy and Power, National Electricity Policy

5. Modi and Meloni Outline India-Italy Strategic Partnership

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni have outlined a road map for the India-Italy strategic partnership.
• The partnership aims to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Foreign Policy

6. Gulf Conflict Pushes Up Fertiliser Prices

• The Gulf conflict has pushed up fertiliser prices, but the supply is expected to remain steady.
• Sunil Jakhar has urged farmers to use fertilisers judiciously to avoid wastage and protect soil health.

PSC relevance: Agriculture, National Policy for Farmers

7. Supreme Court Notice on Plea Against U.P. Police

• The Supreme Court has issued a notice on a plea that the U.P. Police played an ‘agent provocateur’ role in the Noida workers’ violence.
• The petition alleges that the police covertly became part of WhatsApp groups of the protestors and vitiated the prosecution.

PSC relevance: Law and Order, Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies)

8. Rubio to Attend NATO Talks and Visit India

• Marco Rubio will participate in talks among NATO Foreign Ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden.
• He will also pay his first visit to India on May 22, 2026.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Foreign Policy

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International News

9. U.S. Says Held Talks with Cuba on $100 Million Offer

• The U.S. has held talks with Cuba on a $100 million aid offer.
• The aid would be distributed through Catholic Relief Services and Samaritan’s Purse.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Foreign Policy

10. UN Security Council Condemns Attack on UAE Nuclear Plant

• The UN Security Council has condemned the attack on the UAE nuclear plant.
• The attack triggered a fire but caused no injuries or radiation leak.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Global Security

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10 MCQs

Q1. What is the peak power demand met by India?

Options: A. 200 GW B. 250 GW C. 260.45 GW D. 300 GW

Answer: C

Explanation: India has successfully met a record peak power demand of 260.45 GW.

Q2. What is the target for bilateral trade between India and Italy?

Options: A. €10 billion B. €15 billion C. €20 billion D. €25 billion

Answer: C

Explanation: The partnership aims to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.

Q3. Who has urged farmers to use fertilisers judiciously?

Options: A. Narendra Modi B. Sunil Jakhar C. Giorgia Meloni D. Marco Rubio

Answer: B

Explanation: Sunil Jakhar has urged farmers to use fertilisers judiciously to avoid wastage and protect soil health.

Q4. What is the role alleged to have been played by the U.P. Police in the Noida workers’ violence?

Options: A. Mediator B. Agent provocateur C. Investigator D. Prosecutor

Answer: B

Explanation: The petition alleges that the police covertly became part of WhatsApp groups of the protestors and vitiated the prosecution.

Q5. Who will participate in talks among NATO Foreign Ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden?

Options: A. Narendra Modi B. Giorgia Meloni C. Marco Rubio D. Sunil Jakhar

Answer: C

Explanation: Marco Rubio will participate in talks among NATO Foreign Ministers in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Q6. What is the amount of aid offered by the U.S. to Cuba?

Options: A. $50 million B. $100 million C. $150 million D. $200 million

Answer: B

Explanation: The U.S. has held talks with Cuba on a $100 million aid offer.

Q7. What is the expected outcome of the Madhu lynching case on May 25?

Options: A. Verdict B. Appeal C. Review D. Acquittal

Answer: A

Explanation: The court is expected to pronounce its verdict in the case on the same day.

Q8. What is the percentage of thermal power in the total power generated when the peak demand was met?

Options: A. 50% B. 55% C. 60% D. 62.5%

Answer: D

Explanation: Thermal power accounted for about 62.5% of the power generated when the peak demand was met.

Q9. Who has been directed to appear before the Kerala High Court on May 25?

Options: A. The accused in the Madhu lynching case B. The victims’ families C. The police officers D. The prosecution

Answer: A

Explanation: The Kerala High Court has directed the accused in the Madhu lynching case to appear before it on May 25.

Q10. What is the name of the organisation that will distribute the aid to Cuba?

Options: A. Catholic Relief Services and Samaritan’s Purse B. Red Cross and Red Crescent C. UNICEF and WHO D. Oxfam and Save the Children

Answer: A

Explanation: The aid would be distributed through Catholic Relief Services and Samaritan’s Purse.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Human Trafficking	Kerala Police busts human trafficking racket that lured women to Dubai with promises of modelling jobs.
2	India-Italy Partnership	India and Italy outline strategic partnership to increase bilateral trade to €20 billion by 2029.
3	Gulf Conflict	Gulf conflict pushes up fertiliser prices, but supply is expected to remain steady.
4	Noida Workers’ Violence	Supreme Court issues notice on plea that U.P. Police played an ‘agent provocateur’ role in the Noida workers’ violence.
5	U.S.-Cuba Aid	U.S. holds talks with Cuba on $100 million aid offer to be distributed through Catholic Relief Services and Samaritan’s Purse.

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