Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 14 July 2026

Today’s digest covers a mix of health alerts, governance reviews, and political developments across Kerala and the nation, highlighting issues that may appear in PSC examinations.

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Kerala News

1. Leptospirosis deaths spike in district

• The district recorded five leptospirosis deaths in the first 13 days of July 2026, the highest in the State.
• Health officials have issued alerts urging preventive measures against water‑borne infections.

PSC relevance: Public Health, Epidemiology

2. Panel to study KIIFB revamp appointed

• A five‑member committee, headed by Sudha Pillai, was appointed on July 13 to study the KIIFB revamp.
• The committee’s tenure is three months, during which it will examine the resource mobilisation strategy.

PSC relevance: Infrastructure financing, State finance

3. Crime Branch probes Kerala PSC irregularities

• The Crime Branch team visited the Kerala PSC headquarters to record statements of complainants who secured the third and fifth ranks.
• The investigation focuses on alleged irregularities in the recruitment process for the Chief (Industry and Infrastructure) position.

PSC relevance: Public administration, Law enforcement

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National News

4. Manjalpur bypoll nominations filed

• Both BJP and Congress filed nominations for the Manjalpur by‑poll, sparking trade barbs over governance.
• The nominations were submitted following the recent vacancy created by the resignation of the sitting MLA.

PSC relevance: Electoral politics, Political parties

5. Prashant Kishor declares assets in Bankipur by‑election

• Prashant Kishor and his wife declared total assets of over ₹208 crore during the Bankipur assembly by‑election filing.
• He faces eight criminal cases, most relating to unlawful assembly, as reported in the election disclosures.

PSC relevance: Political candidates, Asset disclosure

6. Bihar Ecotourism Investors Meet‑2026 inaugurated

• The Bihar Environment Minister inaugurated the ‘Ecotourism Investors Meet‑2026’, aiming to develop reservoir‑based and other ecotourism sites.
• Group A comprises 29 reservoir‑based ecotourism projects, while Group B includes 247 ponds, lakes, and wetlands.

PSC relevance: Ecotourism, Environmental policy

7. Supreme Court sets aside foreigners judgments

• The Supreme Court set aside 27 judgments of the Guwahati High Court concerning foreigners, directing fresh adjudication.
• It emphasized that declarations must not be mechanical, one‑sided, or devoid of application of mind.

PSC relevance: Judicial review, Citizenship law

8. Rathothsavam features new golden chariot

• The Rathothsavam featured a new golden chariot at Sri Ekambaranathar temple, first conceived by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal.
• The event highlighted the temple’s cultural heritage and attracted devotees from across the region.

PSC relevance: Cultural heritage, Religion

9. Call to wean Tamil Nadu from populist doles

• Analysts argue that Tamil Nadu should shift from populist welfare doles to purposeful welfare schemes for sustainable development.
• The commentary suggests the state’s leadership is well‑positioned to implement such reforms.

PSC relevance: Welfare policy, Fiscal federalism

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International News

10. Vietnam boat capsize survivors recount ordeal

• A boat capsized off Vietnam, with 36 people on board, leading to survivors recounting harrowing moments.
• Survivors reported the vessel felt overloaded despite the limited number of passengers.

PSC relevance: International maritime safety

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9 MCQs

Q1. How many leptospirosis deaths were recorded in the district in the first 13 days of July 2026?

Options: A. Three B. Four C. Five D. Six

Answer: C

Explanation: Source: Kerala news bullet stating five leptospirosis deaths.

Q2. What is the tenure of the five‑member committee appointed to study the KIIFB revamp?

Options: A. One month B. Two months C. Three months D. Six months

Answer: C

Explanation: Source: Kerala news bullet indicating a three‑month tenure.

Q3. Who heads the panel to study the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board revamp?

Options: A. Sudha Pillai B. K. Radhakrishnan C. P. K. Mishra D. S. Nair

Answer: A

Explanation: Source: Kerala news bullet naming Sudha Pillai as panel head.

Q4. Which investigative agency visited the Kerala PSC headquarters to record statements of complainants?

Options: A. Crime Branch B. CBI C. NIA D. ED

Answer: A

Explanation: Source: Kerala news bullet describing Crime Branch team visit.

Q5. Which two major parties filed nominations for the Manjalpur by‑poll?

Options: A. BJP and Congress B. AAP and CPI(M) C. JD(U) and TMC D. BSP and Shiv Sena

Answer: A

Explanation: Source: National news bullet stating BJP and Congress filed nominations.

Q6. What total assets did Prashant Kishor and his wife declare in the Bankipur assembly by‑election?

Options: A. Over ₹150 crore B. Over ₹208 crore C. Over ₹300 crore D. Over ₹100 crore

Answer: B

Explanation: Source: National news bullet indicating assets of over ₹208 crore.

Q7. How many ‘Reservoir‑based ecotourism projects’ are in Group A of Bihar’s Ecotourism Investors Meet‑2026?

Options: A. 25 B. 29 C. 30 D. 35

Answer: B

Explanation: Source: National news bullet listing 29 reservoir‑based projects.

Q8. How many judgments of the Guwahati High Court were set aside by the Supreme Court regarding foreigners?

Options: A. 15 B. 22 C. 27 D. 30

Answer: C

Explanation: Source: National news bullet stating 27 judgments were set aside.

Q9. Who originally conceived the golden chariot used in the Rathothsavam of Sri Ekambaranathar temple?

Options: A. Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal B. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal C. Sri Kanchi Paramacharya D. Sri Adi Shankaracharya

Answer: A

Explanation: Source: National news bullet naming Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Leptospirosis	Five deaths reported in first half of July.
2	KIIFB Panel	Sudha Pillai leads three‑month revamp committee.
3	PSC Probe	Crime Branch records statements on recruitment irregularities.
4	Manjalpur Noms	BJP and Congress file nominations for the by‑poll.
5	Kishor Assets	Assets declared exceed ₹208 crore in Bankipur race.
6	Bihar Ecotourism	Group A lists 29 reservoir‑based ecotourism projects.
7	SC Citizenship	Supreme Court overturns 27 Guwahati High Court judgments.
8	Golden Chariot	Rathothsavam features chariot conceived by Sri Jayendra.
9	Tamil Nadu Welfare	Calls to shift from populist doles to purposeful schemes.

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