Kerala PSC Current Affairs — 25 May 2026

Today’s digest covers key developments in Kerala’s urban planning and education policy, national academic updates, and major international diplomatic movements involving India. These updates align with PSC syllabus areas including governance, foreign relations, and social welfare schemes.

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Kerala News

1. Kochi to be developed as twin-city model under new master plan

• Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced that a master plan to transform Kochi into a model city will be prepared within six months.
• The development of Kochi will follow a ‘twin-city’ model, as stated by the CM during civic receptions in the city and Paravur.

PSC relevance: Kerala Geography, Urban Development

2. Minister assures Plus One admission process to begin post-Cabinet approval

• The State Minister confirmed that all arrangements for the Plus One admission process are in place.
• The process will commence immediately after the State Cabinet approval on May 25, 2026.

PSC relevance: Education Policy, Kerala Government Schemes

3. Idukki DCC president faces backlash for nominating murder-accused

• Idukki DCC president C.P. Mathew nominated the prime accused in the Dheeraj murder case to a committee without consultation.
• Several party members have demanded Mathew’s removal, citing violation of internal democratic norms.

PSC relevance: Political Parties, Governance

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National News

4. CBSE extends deadline for scanned answer book requests to May 25

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has extended the deadline for requesting scanned copies of answer books till midnight of May 25, 2026.
• This is the third extension, following earlier deadlines of May 22, 23, and 24, due to student complaints about portal access issues.

PSC relevance: Education System, CBSE Policies

5. VIT awards over ₹100 crore in scholarships since 2008

• VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan stated that scholarships worth over ₹100 crore have been distributed since 2008.
• The scheme supports high-achieving students from rural government schools who lack financial means for higher education.

PSC relevance: Higher Education, Social Welfare Schemes

6. BJP accuses JMM-Congress of undermining tribal rights in Jharkhand

• The BJP alleged that the Jharkhand government is attempting to weaken tribal customs through new rules under the PESA Act.
• Uma Bharti and JMM leaders stressed the need to protect tribal worship sites and customary rights.

PSC relevance: PESA Act, Tribal Rights

7. The Hindu Huddle 2026 to be held in Bengaluru in June

• The sixth edition of The Hindu Huddle, an ideas conclave by The Hindu Group, will take place in Bengaluru on June 5 and 6, 2026.
• Expert panels will discuss disambiguating a year of political and economic flux.

PSC relevance: National Conclaves, Public Discourse

8. Marco Rubio reaffirms India-US strategic alliance

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that tactical relations with other nations will not come at the expense of India-U.S. strategic ties.
• He called Iran the ‘world’s leading sponsor of terrorism’ and highlighted hostage-taking of civilian vessels.

PSC relevance: India’s Foreign Policy, International Relations

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International News

9. Iran-Israel peace talks may resume in Pakistan

• Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed hope that Pakistan could host the next round of peace talks between Iran and the United States.
• U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio indicated the possibility of ‘good news’ regarding the negotiations on May 24, 2026.

PSC relevance: West Asia Conflicts, Diplomacy

10. Ebola outbreak claims 204 lives in Central Africa

• A Health Ministry statement reported 204 deaths from 867 suspected cases across three provinces in a central African country.
• Neighboring African nations are now considered at risk of cross-border transmission.

PSC relevance: Global Health, WHO

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10 MCQs

Q1. By when is the master plan to transform Kochi into a model city expected to be finalized?

Options: A. Within three months B. Within six months C. By the end of 2026 D. After the next budget session

Answer: B

Explanation: Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan stated the master plan will come up in six months.

Q2. When is the final deadline for CBSE scanned answer book requests as of May 25, 2026?

Options: A. May 22, 2026 B. May 23, 2026 C. May 24, 2026 D. May 25, 2026

Answer: D

Explanation: CBSE extended the deadline till midnight of May 25, 2026.

Q3. Which scheme has distributed over ₹100 crore in scholarships to rural government school students since 2008?

Options: A. IIT Foundation Scheme B. CBSE Merit Grant C. VIT Scholarship Scheme D. PM Vidya Support

Answer: C

Explanation: VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan confirmed the VIT scholarship scheme has disbursed over ₹100 crore.

Q4. What act is at the center of the controversy over tribal rights in Jharkhand?

Options: A. Forest Rights Act B. PESA Act C. Land Acquisition Act D. RTI Act

Answer: B

Explanation: BJP accused JMM-Congress of undermining tribal customs through new PESA Act rules.

Q5. Where will The Hindu Huddle 2026 be held?

Options: A. New Delhi B. Mumbai C. Bengaluru D. Chennai

Answer: C

Explanation: The sixth edition of The Hindu Huddle will be held in Bengaluru on June 5 and 6, 2026.

Q6. Who is the U.S. Secretary of State as of May 25, 2026, according to the news?

Options: A. Antony Blinken B. Marco Rubio C. Kamala Harris D. Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Answer: B

Explanation: Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, underlined strategic alliance with India.

Q7. Which country has offered to host peace talks between Iran and the United States?

Options: A. Saudi Arabia B. Qatar C. Pakistan D. Oman

Answer: C

Explanation: Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan could soon host Iran-U.S. peace talks.

Q8. How many deaths have been reported in the recent Ebola outbreak?

Options: A. 189 B. 204 C. 210 D. 178

Answer: B

Explanation: A Health Ministry statement confirmed 204 deaths from 867 suspected cases.

Q9. What model will Kochi follow for its urban development?

Options: A. Smart City B. Twin-City C. Satellite City D. Green City

Answer: B

Explanation: CM Satheesan stated Kochi will be developed on a ‘twin-city’ model.

Q10. Which committee nomination sparked controversy in Idukki DCC?

Options: A. Sports Development Committee B. Education Reform Panel C. Prime accused in Dheeraj murder case D. Health Task Force

Answer: C

Explanation: C.P. Mathew nominated the prime accused in the Dheeraj murder case, triggering backlash.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kochi Development	CM Satheesan announces six-month timeline for Kochi master plan under twin-city model.
2	CBSE Deadline	Scanned answer book request deadline extended to May 25, 2026, amid portal issues.
3	VIT Scholarships	Over ₹100 crore awarded since 2008 to rural government school students.
4	Tribal Rights	BJP criticizes Jharkhand govt for diluting PESA Act protections.
5	Foreign Policy	Marco Rubio affirms India-US strategic alliance, calls Iran top terror sponsor.
6	Peace Talks	Pakistan may host next Iran-US negotiations, per PM Shehbaz Sharif.
7	Health Crisis	Ebola outbreak kills 204 in Central Africa, regional spread feared.
8	Education Policy	Kerala Plus One admissions await Cabinet nod on May 25.
9	Political Controversy	Idukki DCC president faces heat for nominating murder-accused.
10	Public Discourse	The Hindu Huddle 2026 to convene in Bengaluru on June 5-6.

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