Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 29 July 2026

The day brings a mix of judicial directives, health alerts, and national political developments. Aspirants should note the implications for law, governance, and public policy.

---

Kerala News

1. Kerala HC orders Guruvayur Devaswom to clear pending audit

• The Kerala High Court directed the Guruvayur Devaswom to submit a schedule for remitting outstanding audit charges amounting to ₹14.72 crore.
• The order aims to clear pending audit liabilities and ensure financial accountability of the Devaswom board.

PSC relevance: Public Finance – Audits and State Financial Management

2. Non‑payment of maintenance deemed economic abuse by Kerala HC

• The Kerala High Court held that non‑payment of maintenance constitutes economic abuse, thereby falling under the definition of domestic violence.
• The court further stated that victims’ claims need no independent corroboration as the abuse typically occurs within the home.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity – Laws on Domestic Violence and Women Welfare

3. Kochi Corporation reports surge in communicable diseases

• Between January and June 2026, Kochi Corporation reported 83 dengue, 78 hepatitis A, and 26 H1N1 cases within its limits.
• Authorities have intensified preventive measures, including source reduction, to curb the spread of these communicable diseases.

PSC relevance: Health – Communicable Diseases and Public Health Measures

---

National News

4. AAP welfare spree questioned ahead of 2027 Punjab polls

• Ahead of the 2027 Punjab elections, the Aam Aadmi Party’s welfare initiatives have drawn criticism for their timing and perceived electoral motives.
• Opposition parties argue the cash payout scheme is an election‑eve gimmick aimed at swaying voters.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity – Elections and Political Parties

5. CPI(M) and PDP condemn killings in Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir

• The CPI(M) and PDP condemned the killing of 21 people by security forces in Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir on July 27.
• The incident also resulted in dozens of injuries among supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee in Rawalakot.

PSC relevance: International Relations – India‑Pakistan Relations and Security

6. CBI files charge sheet against 13 in NEET‑UG 2026 paper leak

• The Central Bureau of Investigation filed a charge sheet against 13 accused in the NEET‑UG 2026 paper leak case.
• The filing follows the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25 after prolonged student protests.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity – Crime, Education and Judicial Process

7. Paper Leak Bill hailed as milestone, opposition calls it cosmetic

• The government described the Paper Leak Bill as a milestone, while opposition leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi, labeled it a ‘cosmetic exercise’.
• Critics question the need to amend a law that was hailed as historic just two years earlier.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity – Legislation and Law Amendment Process

8. Rajnath Singh unveils Coast Guard reforms for gender equality

• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled reforms for the Coast Guard aimed at enhancing gender equality within the force.
• One reform simplifies the process of granting ex‑gratia compensation to families of personnel reported missing at sea.

PSC relevance: Defence & Security – Coast Guard and Gender Equality

9. Supreme Court orders release of minors detained in student protests

• The Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of all detained protesters below the age of 18 and barred police from coercive actions against them.
• The court also prohibited public disclosure of personal data of student protesters.

PSC relevance: Judiciary – Supreme Court Judgments on Minor Rights

10. Assam floods death toll rises to 75, MLAs pledge salary donation

• The death toll from the Assam floods rose to 75, prompting MLAs to pledge a month’s salary for flood relief efforts.
• Opposition leader Wajed Ali Choudhury highlighted previous Congress contributions to flood relief.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management – Flood Relief and Public Funding

---

10 MCQs

Q1. What is the amount of pending audit charges the Kerala High Court ordered the Guruvayur Devaswom to remit?

Options: A. ₹14.72 crore B. ₹10 crore C. ₹20 crore D. ₹5 crore

Answer: A

Explanation: The court directed the Devaswom to remit outstanding audit charges of ₹14.72 crore.

Q2. How did the Kerala High Court classify non‑payment of maintenance in domestic violence cases?

Options: A. Economic abuse B. Criminal negligence C. Civil dispute D. Property dispute

Answer: A

Explanation: The court held that non‑payment of maintenance constitutes economic abuse, a form of domestic violence.

Q3. How many dengue cases were reported in Kochi Corporation between January and June 2026?

Options: A. 83 B. 50 C. 100 D. 70

Answer: A

Explanation: Kochi Corporation reported 83 dengue cases in the first half of 2026.

Q4. The AAP welfare initiatives mentioned are ahead of elections in which state?

Options: A. Punjab B. Kerala C. Gujarat D. West Bengal

Answer: A

Explanation: The welfare spree is discussed ahead of the 2027 Punjab polls.

Q5. In which region were 21 people killed by security forces, as condemned by CPI(M) and PDP?

Options: A. Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir B. Ladakh C. Gujarat D. West Bengal

Answer: A

Explanation: The killings occurred in Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir on July 27.

Q6. How many accused were charged by the CBI in the NEET‑UG 2026 paper leak case?

Options: A. 13 B. 10 C. 15 D. 20

Answer: A

Explanation: The CBI filed a charge sheet against 13 accused in the NEET‑UG paper leak case.

Q7. How did opposition leader Gaurav Gogoi describe the Paper Leak Bill?

Options: A. ‘Cosmetic exercise’ B. ‘Historic reform’ C. ‘Budgetary measure’ D. ‘Foreign policy tool’

Answer: A

Explanation: Gaurav Gogoi called the Paper Leak Bill a ‘cosmetic exercise’.

Q8. Which minister announced Coast Guard reforms aimed at gender equality?

Options: A. Rajnath Singh B. Amit Shah C. Nirmala Sitharaman D. S. Jaishankar

Answer: A

Explanation: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the reforms.

Q9. What immediate action did the Supreme Court order for minors detained in student protests?

Options: A. Immediate release B. Extended detention C. Transfer to juvenile home D. No action

Answer: A

Explanation: The Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of all detained protesters below 18.

Q10. What was the reported death toll from the Assam floods?

Options: A. 75 B. 50 C. 100 D. 30

Answer: A

Explanation: The Assam floods death toll rose to 75.

---

Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Audit Order	Kerala HC directs Guruvayur Devaswom to clear ₹14.72 crore audit pending.
2	Domestic Violence	Non‑payment of maintenance classified as economic abuse by Kerala HC.
3	Disease Surge	Kochi reports 83 dengue, 78 Hep A, 26 H1N1 cases Jan‑Jun 2026.
4	AAP Welfare	AAP’s welfare scheme faces criticism ahead of 2027 Punjab polls.
5	POK Killings	CPI(M) and PDP condemn 21 deaths in Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir.
6	NEET Leak	CBI charges 13 accused in NEET‑UG 2026 paper leak case.
7	Paper Leak Bill	Opposition calls the Paper Leak Bill a ‘cosmetic exercise’.
8	Coast Guard	Rajnath Singh unveils gender‑equality reforms for the Coast Guard.
9	Minors Release	Supreme Court orders immediate release of detained minors.
10	Assam Floods	Assam flood death toll reaches 75; MLAs donate salaries for relief.

---

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