Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 31 July 2026

The latest news brings a mix of state‑level regulatory actions, policy announcements, and national debates on transport, water projects, and law enforcement. Aspirants should note key dates, figures and institutional responses for exam preparation.

---

Kerala News

1. Crackdown on illegal bike taxis in Kochi

• On July 30, 2026, the Motor Vehicles Department in Kochi conducted an undercover operation posing as passengers to identify illegal bike‑taxi operators.
• The inspection resulted in 36 private two‑wheelers being penalised, underscoring that commercial bike‑taxi services must have a valid transport registration.

PSC relevance: Transport regulations and licensing (Kerala Transport Department)

2. Kerala government’s comprehensive women’s policy

• Minister Bindhu Krishna announced a draft comprehensive women’s policy on July 31, 2026, aimed at combating violence against women and enhancing support services throughout their lives.
• The policy proposes measures such as setting up women‑friendly police stations, helplines, and increased budget allocation for women‑specific welfare schemes.

PSC relevance: Women and Child Development, Social Welfare

3. TDB stops procurement of external ghee for Sabarimala

• The Travancore Devaswom Board decided on July 31, 2026 to cease purchasing ghee from outside sources for the Sabarimala temple, citing concerns over alleged irregularities in previous Milma ghee contracts.
• The board will now source ghee exclusively from the Kerala State Co‑operative Milk Marketing Federation to ensure transparency and quality.

PSC relevance: Public procurement, Temple administration, State procurement policies

---

National News

4. Sustainable public transport solutions in Hyderabad

• Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner R.V. Karnan emphasized on July 30, 2026 the need for multi‑pronged interventions such as constructing flyovers, expressways, and improving public transport to alleviate chronic traffic congestion.
• He highlighted that integrating bus rapid transit (BRT) and metro extensions are critical for enhancing urban mobility.

PSC relevance: Urban planning, Transport policy

5. Centre maintains stance on Mekedatu dam project

• The Union Government reiterated its position on the Mekedatu dam project on July 29, 2026, responding to objections raised by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay in the Lok Sabha.
• The centre’s reply, also communicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasized that the project will proceed as per existing clearances.

PSC relevance: Inter‑state water disputes, Centre‑State relations

6. Parliament passes Paper Leak Bill

• The Rajya Sabha passed the Paper Leak Bill on July 28, 2026, despite opposition members walking out in protest.
• Union Minister Jitendra Singh cited the legislation as a step towards freeing medical education from management‑quota malpractices, while opposition leader Kharge demanded a Supreme Court‑monitored panel to probe NEET paper leaks.

PSC relevance: Legislation process, Education policy

7. Narcotics Control Bureau busts pan‑India LSD network

• The NCB seized 2,796 LSD blotters and other narcotic substances in a coordinated operation across India, resulting in the arrest of four individuals, as reported on July 27, 2026.
• The bust underscores the agency’s focus on curbing synthetic drug trafficking and highlights the growing challenge of psychedelic substances in the country.

PSC relevance: Drug control laws, Enforcement agencies

8. Congress legal aid helpline receives harassment calls

• Congress legal aid activist Ranjan reported on July 30, 2026 that the party’s helpline has fielded 300 calls, including 50 from young women who faced rape and death threats after participating in protests.
• The calls reflect ongoing concerns about intimidation of protestors and the need for legal support mechanisms.

PSC relevance: Law and order, Civil liberties

9. Opposition protests police action on students and Ram temple donations

• During a parliamentary session on July 29, 2026, opposition leaders such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Kalyan Banerjee exchanged sharp remarks over police actions against student protesters and controversies surrounding donations to the Ram temple.
• The debate highlighted tensions between the ruling party and opposition over law‑enforcement accountability and religious funding.

PSC relevance: Political processes, Law enforcement

---

10 MCQs

Q1. How many private two‑wheelers were penalised in the Kochi bike‑taxi crackdown?

Options: A. 24 B. 36 C. 48 D. 60

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kerala item on the bike‑taxi crackdown states that 36 private two‑wheelers were penalised.

Q2. On which date was the draft comprehensive women’s policy announced by Minister Bindhu Krishna?

Options: A. July 29, 2026 B. July 30, 2026 C. July 31, 2026 D. August 1, 2026

Answer: C

Explanation: The Kerala item on the women’s policy notes the announcement was made on July 31, 2026.

Q3. When did the Travancore Devaswom Board decide to stop procuring external ghee for Sabarimala?

Options: A. July 28, 2026 B. July 29, 2026 C. July 30, 2026 D. July 31, 2026

Answer: D

Explanation: The Kerala item on ghee procurement states the decision was taken on July 31, 2026.

Q4. Who is the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner who highlighted multi‑pronged transport interventions?

Options: A. R.V. Karnan B. S. Kumar C. A. Patel D. M. Rao

Answer: A

Explanation: The national item on Hyderabad transport cites GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan.

Q5. Which state’s chief minister raised objections to the Mekedatu dam project in the Lok Sabha?

Options: A. Karnataka B. Kerala C. Tamil Nadu D. Andhra Pradesh

Answer: C

Explanation: The national item on the Mekedatu dam notes objections were raised by Tamil Nadu’s chief minister.

Q6. On what date did the Rajya Sabha pass the Paper Leak Bill?

Options: A. July 26, 2026 B. July 27, 2026 C. July 28, 2026 D. July 29, 2026

Answer: C

Explanation: The national item on the Paper Leak Bill records its passage on July 28, 2026.

Q7. How many LSD blotters were seized in the NCB’s pan‑India operation?

Options: A. 1,500 B. 2,796 C. 3,200 D. 4,050

Answer: B

Explanation: The national item on the LSD bust states that 2,796 LSD blotters were seized.

Q8. How many total calls did the Congress legal aid helpline receive according to the report?

Options: A. 150 B. 200 C. 300 D. 350

Answer: C

Explanation: The national item on the helpline mentions it received 300 calls.

Q9. How many of the helpline calls were from young women facing threats?

Options: A. 25 B. 35 C. 45 D. 50

Answer: D

Explanation: The national item on the helpline specifies 50 calls came from young women who faced threats.

Q10. Which opposition leader was mentioned as protesting police action on students and Ram temple donations?

Options: A. Rahul Gandhi B. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra C. Sonia Gandhi D. Amit Shah

Answer: B

Explanation: The national item on opposition protests cites Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

---

Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Bike taxis	Kochi MVD penalised 36 illegal bike‑taxis on July 30, 2026.
2	Women policy	Kerala announced a comprehensive women’s policy on July 31, 2026.
3	Ghee procurement	TDB stopped external ghee purchases for Sabarimala on July 31, 2026.
4	Hyderabad transport	GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan urged multi‑pronged transport solutions on July 30, 2026.
5	Mekedatu dam	Centre reaffirmed Mekedatu dam stance after Tamil Nadu CM’s objection on July 29, 2026.
6	Paper Leak Bill	Rajya Sabha passed the Paper Leak Bill on July 28, 2026.
7	LSD bust	NCB seized 2,796 LSD blotters in a pan‑India operation on July 27, 2026.
8	Congress helpline	Legal aid helpline logged 300 calls, 50 from threatened women, on July 30, 2026.
9	Opposition protest	Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led opposition protest on police action on July 29, 2026.
10	Exam focus	Key dates, figures, and institutional actions are vital for Kerala PSC preparation.

---

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