Kerala PSC Current Affairs — 23 May 2026

Today’s current affairs digest brings a mix of state-level governance initiatives, national economic policies, and significant international diplomatic and technological developments. Aspirants will find key updates across social welfare, industrial growth, environmental concerns, and global relations.

---

Kerala News

1. Kerala Govt. to Intervene for Dalit Families Facing Eviction

• The Kerala government plans to approach the High Court on behalf of Dalit families facing eviction.
• Minister Roji M. John stated that if the court verdict is unfavorable, the government will rehabilitate families by providing them with houses and land.
• No police action will be taken until the government officially approaches the court on Monday.

PSC relevance: Social Justice, State Governance, Welfare Schemes

2. Plus One Admissions in Kerala to Commence Soon

• Admissions for Plus One courses in Kerala are likely to begin from May 25.
• The state currently offers 3,60,844 higher secondary seats, 33,000 vocational higher secondary seats, and over 30,000 seats in polytechnic and ITIs.

PSC relevance: Kerala Education, Social Welfare, State Statistics

---

National News

3. Vadodara to Host Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference

• Vadodara is set to host the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in June.
• The conference will cover 10 districts in Central Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Anand, Chhotaudepur, Dahod, Gandhinagar, Kheda, Mahisagar, Narmada, Panchmahal and Vadodara.
• Central Gujarat accounts for 28% of the state’s total manufacturing output.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy, State Initiatives, Regional Development

4. Rajasthan Approves New Industrial Development Policy

• The Rajasthan Cabinet has approved a new industrial development policy with a focus on the talent economy.
• Industries and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore announced that the policy provides incentives for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
• The policy also emphasizes the one district one product initiative and the export sector.

PSC relevance: State Policies, Indian Economy, MSMEs, Industrial Development

5. Punjab Government to Address Stray Dog Issue

• The Punjab government plans to remove stray dogs from high footfall public spaces following a Supreme Court order.
• Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the government will create and maintain an adequate number of dog shelters for their proper care.

PSC relevance: Governance, Public Health, Animal Welfare, Supreme Court Directives

6. Meghalaya Limestone Mining Public Hearing Called Off

• A public hearing for a ₹1,800-crore integrated cement plant and limestone mining project in Meghalaya was called off after protests.
• The stand-off occurred at the public hearing venue in East Jaiñtia Hills district.

PSC relevance: Environment, Industrial Projects, Regional Issues, Governance

7. West Bengal CM Visits Delhi, Meets Central Leaders

• The West Bengal Chief Minister made her first visit to Delhi after taking charge, meeting the President, Prime Minister, and Home Minister.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and emphasized West Bengal’s development as a top priority.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Centre-State Relations, Federalism

8. Maharashtra Emerges as Key Hub for Global Investment

• Mumbai and Maharashtra are emerging as key hubs for global investment and clean energy partnerships.
• Australian diplomat Paul Murphy noted that Australian companies increasingly view Maharashtra as a long-term investment destination, particularly in infrastructure.
• M. Jamshed described Maharashtra as a “lighthouse” for infrastructure development from Delhi’s perspective.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy, Infrastructure Development, Foreign Investment, Clean Energy

9. US Diplomat Rubio Visits India to Boost Quad Cooperation

• Top U.S. diplomat Rubio is on his maiden India visit, aiming to repair strained ties and boost Quad cooperation.
• Rubio is scheduled to hold wide-ranging talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• He will also attend a meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers in New Delhi.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Diplomacy, Quad Grouping, India-US Relations

---

International News

10. Pakistan Army Chief Visits Tehran Amid Iran-Israel Conflict

• Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran to expedite efforts to end the ongoing Iran-Israel war.
• The U.S. reported “slight progress” in Iran talks, while the EU is moving to sanction Iran over the Hormuz blockade.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Geopolitics, West Asia Conflict, Diplomacy

11. SpaceX Launches Beefed-Up Starship on Test Flight

• SpaceX launched its biggest and most beefed-up Starship yet on a test flight.
• The redesigned mega rocket debuted two days after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk announced he is taking the company public.

PSC relevance: Science & Technology, Space Exploration, Private Space Industry

---

10 MCQs

Q1. Which minister stated that the Kerala government would rehabilitate Dalit families facing eviction by providing them with houses and land if the court verdict is unfavorable?

Options: A. V. Sivankutty B. K. Rajan C. Roji M. John D. P. Rajeeve

Answer: C

Explanation: Minister Roji M. John made the statement regarding the rehabilitation of Dalit families in Kerala.

Q2. From which date are Plus One admissions in Kerala likely to commence?

Options: A. May 20 B. May 23 C. May 25 D. June 1

Answer: C

Explanation: Plus One admissions in Kerala are likely to begin from May 25.

Q3. Which city is set to host the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in June?

Options: A. Ahmedabad B. Gandhinagar C. Surat D. Vadodara

Answer: D

Explanation: Vadodara is set to host the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in June.

Q4. Who is the Industries and Commerce Minister of Rajasthan who announced the new industrial development policy?

Options: A. Ashok Gehlot B. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore C. Bhajanlal Sharma D. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Answer: B

Explanation: Industries and Commerce Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore announced Rajasthan’s new industrial development policy.

Q5. Which Indian state government plans to remove stray dogs from high footfall public spaces following a Supreme Court order?

Options: A. Haryana B. Uttar Pradesh C. Punjab D. Himachal Pradesh

Answer: C

Explanation: The Punjab government plans to remove stray dogs from high footfall public spaces.

Q6. In which district of Meghalaya was the public hearing for a ₹1,800-crore integrated cement plant and limestone mining project called off due to protests?

Options: A. West Garo Hills B. East Khasi Hills C. East Jaiñtia Hills D. South West Khasi Hills

Answer: C

Explanation: The public hearing was called off in East Jaiñtia Hills district of Meghalaya.

Q7. Which vision did Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterate during his meeting with the West Bengal Chief Minister in Delhi?

Options: A. Make in India B. Digital India C. Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas D. Atmanirbhar Bharat

Answer: C

Explanation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated his vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.

Q8. Which Australian diplomat noted that Australian companies increasingly view Maharashtra as a long-term investment destination?

Options: A. Kevin Rudd B. Paul Murphy C. Penny Wong D. Scott Morrison

Answer: B

Explanation: Australian diplomat Paul Murphy made the observation about Maharashtra as an investment destination.

Q9. Who is the top U.S. diplomat on a maiden India visit aiming to boost Quad cooperation and repair strained ties?

Options: A. Antony Blinken B. Jake Sullivan C. Rubio D. Lloyd Austin

Answer: C

Explanation: Top U.S. diplomat Rubio is on his maiden India visit to boost Quad cooperation.

Q10. Which company recently launched its biggest and most beefed-up Starship yet on a test flight?

Options: A. Blue Origin B. NASA C. SpaceX D. Boeing

Answer: C

Explanation: SpaceX launched its biggest and most beefed-up Starship on a test flight.

---

Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kerala Dalit Welfare	Kerala government to move High Court for Dalit families facing eviction, with Minister Roji M. John assuring rehabilitation.
2	Kerala Education	Plus One admissions in Kerala are expected to commence from May 25, with various seats available across higher secondary, vocational, polytechnic, and ITI courses.
3	Vibrant Gujarat	Vadodara will host the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in June, covering 10 districts of Central Gujarat, which contributes 28% of the state’s manufacturing output.
4	Rajasthan Industrial Policy	Rajasthan Cabinet approved a new industrial development policy, announced by Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, focusing on MSMEs, talent economy, and exports.
5	Punjab Animal Welfare	The Punjab government, led by CM Bhagwant Mann, plans to remove stray dogs from public spaces and establish shelters, following a Supreme Court order.
6	Meghalaya Mining Protest	A public hearing for a ₹1,800-crore cement plant and limestone mining project in Meghalaya’s East Jaiñtia Hills was called off due to protests.
7	Centre-State Relations	West Bengal CM visited Delhi, meeting central leaders, where PM Narendra Modi reiterated his vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas for the state’s development.
8	Maharashtra Investment	Mumbai and Maharashtra are emerging as key hubs for global investment and clean energy, with Australian diplomat Paul Murphy noting its appeal for long-term investments.
9	India-US Diplomacy	US diplomat Rubio is on his maiden India visit to boost Quad cooperation and hold talks with EAM S. Jaishankar and PM Narendra Modi.
10	Geopolitics	Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran to expedite efforts to end the Iran-Israel war, amidst reports of slight progress in Iran talks and EU sanctions.
11	Space Technology	SpaceX launched its biggest and most beefed-up Starship yet on a test flight, following CEO Elon Musk’s announcement of taking the company public.

---

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