Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 23 July 2026

Today’s current affairs digest covers a range of topics, including the inauguration of SHITIJ 2.0, a nationwide start-up incubation programme, and the ongoing protests against the alleged NEET paper leak. The digest also touches on national issues, such as the Jantar Mantar protests and the Assam floods. The mix of topics provides a comprehensive overview of current events relevant to Kerala PSC aspirants.

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Kerala News

1. SHITIJ 2.0 Inaugurated

• The second edition of SHITIJ is being implemented through a nationwide network of seven hub institutes and their associated spoke institutes.
• ICAR-CPCRI hosted the inauguration of SHITIJ 2.0, a nationwide start-up incubation programme.

PSC relevance: Science and Technology, Entrepreneurship

2. Kerala Protests in Solidarity with Delhi Students

• Writers, filmmakers, actors, and activists backed the agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak and police action in Delhi.
• Solidarity protests were held across Kochi, with marches, public meetings, and a candlelight vigil drawing students and youngsters.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Social Movements

3. Kerala UDF Constituent IUML Criticizes Revenue Minister

• IUML leaders from the Wandoor constituency accused Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar of sidelining the party after assuming office.
• The criticism comes amid allegations of the Minister’s actions affecting the party’s interests.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, State Politics

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National News

4. Jantar Mantar Protests

• Heavy security was deployed at Jantar Mantar as a crowd of protesters swelled, with Rahul Gandhi accused of using students’ issues for political mileage.
• Wangchuk sought an unequivocal assurance that no young protester would face punitive or retaliatory legal action.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Social Movements

5. NHPC’s Teesta-VI Tunnels Incident

• The July 20 incident at NHPC’s Teesta-VI tunnels is likely to have occurred due to an isolated patch near the face of tunnel 4B.
• The incident resulted in a fatal blast, with the NHPC stating that it gave no indication or time for the safe evacuation of people working inside the tunnel.

PSC relevance: Science and Technology, Disaster Management

6. Assam Floods

• Assam floods have resulted in significant damage, with the Chief Minister stating that the damage is far greater than anticipated.
• More rains are forecast over the next four days, with the flood toll rising.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management, Geography

7. NEET Paper Leak Protests

• NEET paper leak protests have led to demands for the Education Minister’s resignation.
• The government has offered a debate on the NEET paper leak, stating that street protests won’t help.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Education

8. Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme

• Maharashtra has begun the rollout of the Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, with the first 500 beneficiaries announced.
• Lists of beneficiaries will be published at the village level in the Gram Panchayat, various executive cooperative society offices, and the respective bank branches.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy, Agriculture

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10 MCQs

Q1. What is the name of the nationwide start-up incubation programme inaugurated at ICAR-CPCRI?

Options: A. SHITIJ 2.0 B. NEET C. Teesta-VI D. Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme

Answer: A

Explanation: The second edition of SHITIJ is being implemented through a nationwide network of seven hub institutes and their associated spoke institutes.

Q2. Where were solidarity protests held in support of Delhi students?

Options: A. Kochi B. Delhi C. Mumbai D. Bangalore

Answer: A

Explanation: Solidarity protests were held across Kochi, with marches, public meetings, and a candlelight vigil drawing students and youngsters.

Q3. Who accused Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar of sidelining the IUML party?

Options: A. IUML leaders from Wandoor constituency B. Kerala Chief Minister C. Indian Prime Minister D. Rahul Gandhi

Answer: A

Explanation: IUML leaders from the Wandoor constituency accused Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar of sidelining the party after assuming office.

Q4. What is the name of the tunnels where an incident occurred on July 20?

Options: A. Teesta-VI tunnels B. NHPC tunnels C. SHITIJ tunnels D. Jantar Mantar tunnels

Answer: A

Explanation: The July 20 incident at NHPC’s Teesta-VI tunnels is likely to have occurred due to an isolated patch near the face of tunnel 4B.

Q5. Which state has been affected by floods, with the damage being far greater than anticipated?

Options: A. Assam B. Kerala C. Maharashtra D. Delhi

Answer: A

Explanation: Assam floods have resulted in significant damage, with the Chief Minister stating that the damage is far greater than anticipated.

Q6. What is the name of the scheme rolled out by Maharashtra, with the first 500 beneficiaries announced?

Options: A. Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme B. SHITIJ 2.0 C. NEET D. Teesta-VI

Answer: A

Explanation: Maharashtra has begun the rollout of the Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme, with the first 500 beneficiaries announced.

Q7. Who sought an unequivocal assurance that no young protester would face punitive or retaliatory legal action?

Options: A. Wangchuk B. Rahul Gandhi C. Indian Prime Minister D. Kerala Chief Minister

Answer: A

Explanation: Wangchuk sought an unequivocal assurance that no young protester would face punitive or retaliatory legal action.

Q8. What is the name of the programme that has been criticized by IUML leaders from the Wandoor constituency?

Options: A. SHITIJ 2.0 B. NEET C. Revenue Minister’s programme D. Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme

Answer: C

Explanation: IUML leaders from the Wandoor constituency accused Revenue Minister A.P. Anil Kumar of sidelining the party after assuming office.

Q9. Where were protests held in solidarity with students affected by the NEET paper leak?

Options: A. Jantar Mantar B. Kochi C. Delhi D. Mumbai

Answer: B

Explanation: Solidarity protests were held across Kochi, with marches, public meetings, and a candlelight vigil drawing students and youngsters.

Q10. What is the name of the incident that occurred on July 20, resulting in a fatal blast?

Options: A. Teesta-VI tunnels incident B. SHITIJ 2.0 incident C. NEET paper leak incident D. Jantar Mantar incident

Answer: A

Explanation: The July 20 incident at NHPC’s Teesta-VI tunnels is likely to have occurred due to an isolated patch near the face of tunnel 4B.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	SHITIJ 2.0	Nationwide start-up incubation programme inaugurated at ICAR-CPCRI.
2	NEET Paper Leak Protests	Protests held across Kochi in solidarity with Delhi students.
3	Jantar Mantar Protests	Heavy security deployed as crowd of protesters swells.
4	Assam Floods	Floods result in significant damage, with damage far greater than anticipated.
5	Farmer Loan Waiver Scheme	Maharashtra rolls out scheme, with first 500 beneficiaries announced.

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