Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 01 August 2026

The day’s headlines blend Kerala judicial and administrative updates with major national schemes and Supreme Court interventions. Aspirants should note the policy implications and legal developments for the upcoming exams.

---

Kerala News

1. Kerala HC orders timely operationalisation of NDPS Courts

• Kerala High Court directed the State to operationalise the promised NDPS Courts without delay.
• 8,422 NDPS cases were reported pending across the State according to the District Judiciary.

PSC relevance: Judiciary, Criminal Justice, Courts

2. Digital land resurvey to continue after staff revamp

• The Revenue Minister announced that the digital land resurvey will proceed despite a temporary halt.
• Services of contract staff deployed for the survey were temporarily stopped as part of a revamp.

PSC relevance: Land Revenue, Digital Governance, Survey

3. Kochi Corporation to prepare footpath upkeep protocol

• The High Court directed Kochi Corporation to ready a protocol for the upkeep of footpaths.
• The corporation acknowledged past neglect of pedestrians and pledged remedial measures.

PSC relevance: Urban Local Bodies, Municipal Governance, Infrastructure

---

National News

4. Cabinet approves floating solar scheme targeting 5,000 MW

• The Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana aims to install 5,000 MW of floating solar plants on water bodies by 2030-31.
• The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet to boost renewable energy generation.

PSC relevance: Renewable Energy, Government Schemes, Environment

5. Supreme Court seeks DNA testing for Indians killed in Russia-Ukraine war

• The Supreme Court ordered the Centre to facilitate DNA testing of Indians killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• The aim is to identify mortal remains and ensure families receive legal aid for compensation claims.

PSC relevance: Supreme Court, International Humanitarian Issues, Legal Aid

6. Waqf registrations surge by 35,000 in West Bengal after UMEED portal launch

• Registrations of Waqf properties in West Bengal rose by 35,000 following the launch of the UMEED portal.
• Authorities attribute the increase to the portal’s facilitation rather than a sudden rise in existing properties.

PSC relevance: Waqf, Digital Governance, State Administration

7. Supreme Court considers protocol for accessing livestream archives

• The Court is mooting a protocol to access its livestream archives to prevent commercial exploitation.
• A July 24 interim order had previously barred the circulation of livestream proceedings on digital platforms.

PSC relevance: Judicial Transparency, Media Regulation, Technology

8. Sewage contamination found in 68% of water samples near Bhopal gas tragedy site

• Activists reported that 68% of water samples near the Bhopal gas tragedy site were contaminated with sewage.
• They warned that the situation mirrors the Indore Bhagirathpura incident where contaminated water caused over 35 deaths.

PSC relevance: Environment, Water Quality, Public Health

9. Revenue Augmentation Committee holds first meeting via video conference

• The Revenue Augmentation Committee convened its inaugural meeting through a video conference.
• The committee is tasked with advising the State government on measures to boost tax and non‑tax revenues.

PSC relevance: State Finance, Revenue Enhancement, Governance

---

10 MCQs

Q1. How many NDPS cases were pending in Kerala as noted by the High Court?

Options: A. 8,422 B. 7,500 C. 9,000 D. 10,200

Answer: A

Explanation: Kerala HC bulletin states 8,422 NDPS cases pending.

Q2. What action was taken regarding contract staff in the digital land resurvey?

Options: A. Services were temporarily stopped B. Services were increased C. Services remained unchanged D. Services were outsourced

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet mentions contract staff services were temporarily stopped as part of a revamp.

Q3. Which body was directed by the High Court to prepare a footpath upkeep protocol?

Options: A. Kochi Corporation B. Thiruvananthapuram Municipality C. Kerala State Planning Board D. Kerala Police

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet specifies the High Court directed Kochi Corporation.

Q4. What is the target capacity for floating solar installations under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana?

Options: A. 5,000 MW B. 3,000 MW C. 10,000 MW D. 2,500 MW

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet states the scheme aims for 5,000 MW of floating solar by 2030-31.

Q5. By how many registrations did West Bengal’s Waqf properties increase after the UMEED portal launch?

Options: A. 35,000 B. 10,000 C. 50,000 D. 5,000

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet reports a rise of 35,000 registrations.

Q6. What purpose does the Supreme Court’s order for DNA testing serve?

Options: A. Identify mortal remains and aid compensation B. Increase trade C. Improve agriculture D. Reduce pollution

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet explains DNA testing is to identify remains and help families claim compensation.

Q7. What did the July 24 interim order of the Supreme Court prohibit?

Options: A. Circulation of livestream proceedings on digital platforms B. Mandatory live streaming of all hearings C. Closing of all courts D. Requiring translation of judgments

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet notes the July 24 order barred circulation of livestream proceedings.

Q8. What percentage of water samples near the Bhopal gas tragedy site were found contaminated?

Options: A. 68% B. 50% C. 80% D. 30%

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet states 68% of samples were contaminated with sewage.

Q9. How was the first meeting of the Revenue Augmentation Committee conducted?

Options: A. Through video conference B. In person at Thiruvananthapuram C. Via telephone D. Through email

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet mentions the meeting was held via video conference.

Q10. Which court directed the operationalisation of NDPS courts in Kerala?

Options: A. Kerala High Court B. Supreme Court of India C. Delhi High Court D. Madras High Court

Answer: A

Explanation: Bullet identifies the Kerala High Court as the directing authority.

---

Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	NDPS Courts	Kerala HC orders prompt activation of NDPS courts; 8,422 cases pending.
2	Digital Land Survey	Contract staff services paused temporarily during digital land resurvey revamp.
3	Footpath Protocol	Kochi Corporation tasked to draft footpath upkeep protocol after HC directive.
4	Floating Solar	Cabinet backs 5,000 MW floating solar target under Surya Sarovar Yojana by 2030‑31.
5	DNA Testing Order	Supreme Court orders DNA testing for Indians killed in Russia‑Ukraine war for identification.
6	Waqf Registrations	West Bengal sees 35,000 new Waqf registrations after UMEED portal launch.
7	Livestream Protocol	Supreme Court considers protocol to access livestream archives, limiting commercial use.
8	Bhopal Water Contamination	Activists find 68% sewage‑contaminated water samples near Bhopal gas tragedy site.
9	Revenue Committee	Revenue Augmentation Committee holds inaugural meeting via video conference.
10	SC DNA Order	SC directive aims to aid families with compensation through DNA identification.

---

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