Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 20 July 2026

Today’s digest covers critical governance and environmental issues in Kerala, including forest land diversion complaints and Korapuzha dredging concerns. National headlines feature Maharashtra’s tribal welfare review, Srinagar’s temple revival, and security measures ahead of Parliament session. The brief also highlights key policy and legal developments.

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Kerala News

1. Kerala forest land diversion complaints to be heard by Central Empowered Committee

• Two complaints on alleged illegal diversion of forest land in Kerala’s Chalakudy forest division and irregular timber auction will be taken up by the Central Empowered Committee in New Delhi on 20 July 2026.
• The complaints also include the alleged continued use of reserved forest land by the Plantation Corporation of Kerala.

PSC relevance: Forest Conservation Act 1980, Central Empowered Committee powers

2. Kerala Forest Department flags misleading Google Maps listings in reserve forests

• The Forest Department has identified 23 misleading Google Maps listings inside reserve forests in Kozhikode district, which are encouraging unauthorized entry into protected areas.
• The Deputy Forest Officer (DFO) has sought removal of these listings, citing risks of trespassing, public safety, and human-wildlife conflict.

PSC relevance: Geospatial data misuse, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980

3. Kerala calls for scientific assessment before Korapuzha dredging resumption

• An environmental organization has demanded the constitution of an expert committee, including a marine ecologist and local residents, to evaluate the proposal to deepen the Korapuzha estuary.
• The group warns that dredging without scientific assessment could harm the estuary’s ecosystem and coastal communities.

PSC relevance: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 2006, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms

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National News

4. Maharashtra panel to review tribal benefits after Christian conversion allegations

• A Maharashtra government panel has been constituted to study allegations that Christian religious leaders in Navapur taluka are using inducements to compel tribals and non-tribals to convert.
• The notice highlights concerns over alleged inducements and their impact on Scheduled Tribe welfare benefits.

PSC relevance: Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950, religious conversion laws

5. Srinagar’s Vichar Nag temple witnesses puja after decades, L-G terms it a historic bridge

• Scores of Kashmiri Pandits attended a puja ceremony at Srinagar’s Vichar Nag temple, an area once home to Pandit families who left due to militancy in the 1990s.
• The Lieutenant Governor stated that the revival of the temple serves as a historic bridge for communal harmony.

PSC relevance: Article 25 (Freedom of Religion), Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019

6. Maharashtra allows hotels and bars to stay open till 4 a.m. for FIFA World Cup final

• The Maharashtra Home Department issued a directive on 18 July 2026 allowing hotels, restaurants, and bars to remain open till 4 a.m. on the night of the FIFA World Cup final.
• The decision follows a request from the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), Mumbai.

PSC relevance: Licensing laws under the Bombay Police Act 1951, public order provisions

7. Security tightened in Delhi ahead of Parliament session and CJP rally

• Prohibitory orders are in place in Delhi till 22 August 2026 ahead of the Parliament session and the CJP’s proposed march to Parliament.
• Police stated that the CJP has not sought permission for the march, raising concerns over law and order.

PSC relevance: Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (Section 144), public order and assembly laws

8. Government to introduce Bill in Rajya Sabha to criminalize insult to Vande Mataram

• The government will move a Bill in the Rajya Sabha on 20 July 2026 to amend the 1971 legislation, making insult to Vande Mataram a criminal offence.
• The Lok Sabha is also set to take up a separate Bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges.

PSC relevance: Article 51A (Fundamental Duties), Representation of the People Act 1951

9. Bihar CM inaugurates ₹130.88-crore floodwater diversion link to enhance farm productivity

• Bihar Chief Minister inaugurated a ₹130.88-crore river interlinking project to divert floodwaters and enhance agricultural productivity in northern Bihar.
• The project aims to reduce flood intensity and includes the inauguration of 551 schools to improve education infrastructure.

PSC relevance: River interlinking projects, Bihar Panchayat Raj Act 2006

10. Nagaland landslide causes destruction; state announces ex-gratia relief

• Heavy rainfall and a cloudburst triggered a landslide in Nagaland, causing widespread destruction in and around Mon town.
• The state government announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh for the kin of the deceased and ₹74,000 for each injured person.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management Act 2005, ex-gratia relief mechanisms

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which committee in India is set to hear complaints regarding the alleged illegal diversion of forest land in Kerala’s Chalakudy forest division on 20 July 2026?

Options: A. National Green Tribunal B. Central Empowered Committee C. Forest Advisory Committee D. National Board for Wildlife

Answer: B

Explanation: The Central Empowered Committee in New Delhi will take up the complaints on alleged illegal diversion of forest land in Kerala’s Chalakudy forest division on 20 July 2026.

Q2. What is the primary concern raised by the Kerala Forest Department regarding misleading Google Maps listings in reserve forests?

Options: A. Loss of revenue from tourism B. Risks of trespassing, public safety, and human-wildlife conflict C. Violation of copyright laws by Google D. Increased carbon emissions from GPS devices

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kerala Forest Department cited risks of trespassing, public safety, and human-wildlife conflict as the primary concerns due to misleading Google Maps listings in reserve forests.

Q3. Which of the following districts in Kerala has been identified by the Forest Department for misleading Google Maps listings inside reserve forests?

Options: A. Thiruvananthapuram B. Ernakulam C. Kozhikode D. Malappuram

Answer: C

Explanation: The Forest Department identified 23 misleading Google Maps listings inside reserve forests in Kozhikode district.

Q4. What is the proposed action by the Kerala government before resuming dredging in the Korapuzha estuary?

Options: A. Conduct a public referendum B. Constitute an expert committee including a marine ecologist and local residents C. Seek approval from the Central Water Commission D. Implement a carbon offset program

Answer: B

Explanation: An environmental organization has demanded the constitution of an expert committee, including a marine ecologist and local residents, to evaluate the proposal to deepen the Korapuzha estuary.

Q5. Which religious group in Maharashtra’s Navapur taluka has been accused of using inducements to compel tribals and non-tribals to convert?

Options: A. Hindu religious leaders B. Christian religious leaders C. Muslim religious leaders D. Buddhist religious leaders

Answer: B

Explanation: A Maharashtra government panel is reviewing allegations that Christian religious leaders in Navapur taluka are using inducements to compel tribals and non-tribals to convert.

Q6. Which temple in Srinagar witnessed a puja ceremony after decades, described by the Lieutenant Governor as a historic bridge for communal harmony?

Options: A. Shankaracharya Temple B. Vichar Nag Temple C. Hazratbal Shrine D. Mamleshwar Temple

Answer: B

Explanation: Scores of Kashmiri Pandits attended a puja ceremony at Srinagar’s Vichar Nag temple, described by the Lieutenant Governor as a historic bridge for communal harmony.

Q7. What is the new operating hour limit set by the Maharashtra government for hotels, restaurants, and bars on the night of the FIFA World Cup final?

Options: A. 2 a.m. B. 3 a.m. C. 4 a.m. D. 5 a.m.

Answer: C

Explanation: The Maharashtra Home Department allowed hotels, restaurants, and bars to remain open till 4 a.m. on the night of the FIFA World Cup final.

Q8. What legal provision is being invoked by the government to introduce a Bill criminalizing insult to Vande Mataram?

Options: A. Article 19(1)(a) B. Article 25 C. Article 51A D. Article 32

Answer: C

Explanation: The government will introduce a Bill to amend the 1971 legislation, making insult to Vande Mataram a criminal offence, under Article 51A (Fundamental Duties).

Q9. What is the primary objective of the ₹130.88-crore river interlinking project inaugurated in Bihar?

Options: A. To build new dams across the state B. To divert floodwaters and enhance agricultural productivity C. To construct new highways for connectivity D. To establish new wildlife sanctuaries

Answer: B

Explanation: The ₹130.88-crore river interlinking project in Bihar aims to divert floodwaters and enhance agricultural productivity in northern Bihar.

Q10. Which state government announced ex-gratia relief of ₹4 lakh for the kin of deceased and ₹74,000 for each injured person following a landslide?

Options: A. Assam B. Nagaland C. Manipur D. Mizoram

Answer: B

Explanation: The Nagaland state government announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh for the kin of the deceased and ₹74,000 for each injured person following a landslide.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kerala forest land diversion	Central Empowered Committee to hear complaints on 20 July 2026 regarding illegal diversion in Chalakudy forest division.
2	Misleading Google Maps listings	Kerala Forest Department flags 23 misleading listings in Kozhikode reserve forests, citing trespassing and safety risks.
3	Korapuzha dredging proposal	Environmental groups demand scientific assessment before resuming dredging in the Korapuzha estuary.
4	Maharashtra tribal welfare review	Panel constituted to study allegations of inducements for conversion among tribals in Navapur taluka.
5	Srinagar temple revival	Vichar Nag temple in Srinagar witnesses puja after decades, described as a historic bridge for communal harmony.
6	Maharashtra hospitality hours	Hotels, restaurants, and bars allowed to stay open till 4 a.m. on FIFA World Cup final night in Maharashtra.
7	Delhi security measures	Prohibitory orders in Delhi till 22 August 2026 ahead of Parliament session and CJP rally.
8	Vande Mataram insult Bill	Government to introduce Bill in Rajya Sabha to criminalize insult to Vande Mataram under Fundamental Duties.
9	Bihar floodwater diversion project	Bihar CM inaugurates ₹130.88-crore river interlinking project to divert floodwaters and enhance farm productivity.
10	Nagaland landslide relief	Nagaland government announces ex-gratia relief for victims of a landslide caused by heavy rainfall and a cloudburst.

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