Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 06 August 2026

Today’s digest covers key governance and policy developments in Kerala, national legislative updates, and administrative reforms across states. The focus remains on constitutional provisions, education policies, and judicial reforms relevant for Kerala PSC examinations.

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Kerala News

1. Kerala to expedite Mullassery Canal restoration

• The Mullassery Canal restoration project in Kochi will resume on September 1, 2026, and is scheduled for completion by March 2027.
• Authorities have ordered urgent measures including drain cleaning, relocation of shops over drains, and intensified inspections against banned single-use plastic to address waterlogging in the city.

PSC relevance: Kerala Geography, Urban Governance, Environmental Policies

2. AI & Robotics hubs to be set up in Kerala high schools

• The AI & Robotics Initiative for School Education (ARISE) hubs will be established in high schools across Kerala to expand learning and experimentation in Artificial Intelligence and robotics.
• The initiative aims to integrate modern technologies into school education and enhance students’ practical skills in emerging fields.

PSC relevance: Science & Technology, Kerala Education Policies

3. Kerala High Court dismisses plea in actor assault case

• The Kerala High Court dismissed the plea for suspension of sentence filed by the second accused in the actor assault case.
• The court observed that there is prima facie evidence to prove the accused aided the commission of the crime and participated in the conspiracy.

PSC relevance: Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Judicial Precedents

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National News

4. Supreme Court approves increase in number of judges

• The Rajya Sabha cleared a Bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from the current 34 to a higher number.
• The Parliamentary Affairs Minister stated that there is no proposal to hold a Special Session to push through the women’s quota and delimitation Bills at present.

PSC relevance: Constitution of India (Article 124), Judiciary, Parliamentary Procedures

5. Andhra Pradesh drafts regulations for private AYUSH facilities

• The Andhra Pradesh government issued draft regulations classifying private AYUSH facilities into seven categories based on bed strength and services, ranging from single-doctor clinics to hospitals with over 200 beds.
• The regulations propose mandatory registration for all private AYUSH facilities operating in the state.

PSC relevance: AYUSH Act, Health Policies, State Governance

6. Maharashtra bans analogue and non-dairy paneer

• The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, processing, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer in the state.
• The ban applies to all forms of analogue and non-dairy paneer products available in the market.

PSC relevance: Food Safety Standards Act, Consumer Protection, State Regulations

7. Congress in damage control over cabinet expansion unrest

• The Congress party is in damage control mode following unrest over cabinet expansion, with the general secretary in-charge of Karnataka meeting senior disgruntled leaders in Bengaluru.
• The party is attempting to address internal dissent and maintain unity ahead of upcoming elections.

PSC relevance: Political Parties Act, Party Discipline, Electoral Politics

8. Supreme Court rules on party discipline and defiance

• The Supreme Court stated that having a majority is not a reason for lawmakers to defy their party, emphasizing the importance of party discipline in a democracy.
• Justice Joymalya Bagchi highlighted that the maturity of a democracy is measured by the constancy of political parties and their members to their ideology.

PSC relevance: Constitution of India (Article 102, 191), Anti-Defection Law, Judicial Interpretations

9. Uttar Pradesh government accused of neglecting Brahmins

• Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of neglecting Brahmins and other marginalised communities while targeting Opposition workers.
• He also stated that the term ‘PDA’ includes Pandits, aiming to woo the Brahmin community ahead of elections.

PSC relevance: Social Justice, Caste-based Politics, Uttar Pradesh Governance

10. Odisha university faces interference by BJP MLA

• The University Teachers Association in Odisha has requested the Vice-Chancellor to address interference by a BJP MLA in university administration.
• The association has also urged the Vice-Chancellor to safeguard the dignity of teachers and the integrity of university processes by approaching the Governor of Odisha.

PSC relevance: University Governance, Role of Chancellor, Academic Autonomy

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10 MCQs

Q1. When will the Mullassery Canal restoration project in Kochi resume?

Options: A. 15 August 2026 B. 1 September 2026 C. 15 September 2026 D. 1 October 2026

Answer: B

Explanation: The Mullassery Canal restoration project in Kochi will resume on September 1, 2026, as stated in the Kerala government’s announcement.

Q2. What is the primary objective of the ARISE hubs being set up in Kerala high schools?

Options: A. To promote sports and physical education B. To expand learning and experimentation in Artificial Intelligence and robotics C. To provide vocational training in agriculture D. To enhance digital literacy among teachers

Answer: B

Explanation: The AI & Robotics Initiative for School Education (ARISE) hubs aim to expand learning and experimentation in Artificial Intelligence and robotics in Kerala high schools.

Q3. What did the Kerala High Court observe regarding the second accused in the actor assault case?

Options: A. There is prima facie evidence of participation in the conspiracy B. The accused was acquitted due to lack of evidence C. The case was transferred to a lower court D. The sentence was suspended indefinitely

Answer: A

Explanation: The Kerala High Court observed that there is prima facie evidence to prove the second accused aided the commission of the crime and participated in the conspiracy.

Q4. How many categories are proposed for classifying private AYUSH facilities in Andhra Pradesh?

Options: A. Five B. Six C. Seven D. Eight

Answer: C

Explanation: The Andhra Pradesh government proposed classifying private AYUSH facilities into seven categories based on bed strength and services.

Q5. What is the duration of the ban imposed by Maharashtra on analogue and non-dairy paneer?

Options: A. Six months B. One year C. Two years D. Indefinite

Answer: B

Explanation: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration imposed a one-year ban on the manufacture, processing, storage, transport, distribution, and sale of analogue or non-dairy paneer.

Q6. What did the Supreme Court state about lawmakers defying their party despite having a majority?

Options: A. It is constitutionally permitted B. It is a sign of democratic maturity C. It is not a valid reason for defiance D. It strengthens party discipline

Answer: C

Explanation: The Supreme Court stated that having a majority is not a reason for lawmakers to defy their party, emphasizing the importance of party discipline.

Q7. Which political party accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of neglecting Brahmins?

Options: A. Indian National Congress B. Samajwadi Party C. Bahujan Samaj Party D. Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Answer: B

Explanation: Akhilesh Yadav, leader of the Samajwadi Party, accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of neglecting Brahmins and other marginalised communities.

Q8. What action did the University Teachers Association in Odisha request from the Vice-Chancellor?

Options: A. To increase faculty salaries B. To address interference by a BJP MLA C. To expand student enrollment D. To introduce new courses

Answer: B

Explanation: The University Teachers Association in Odisha requested the Vice-Chancellor to address interference by a BJP MLA in university administration.

Q9. What is the proposed number of Supreme Court judges after the Bill is passed?

Options: A. 34 B. 50 C. A higher number than the current 34 D. 100

Answer: C

Explanation: The Rajya Sabha cleared a Bill to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from the current 34 to a higher number.

Q10. Which state government issued draft regulations for private AYUSH facilities?

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

Answer: C

Explanation: The Andhra Pradesh government issued draft regulations for classifying and registering private AYUSH facilities in the state.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Mullassery Canal Restoration	Kochi’s Mullassery Canal restoration to resume on 1 September 2026 and complete by March 2027; includes measures against single-use plastic.
2	AI & Robotics Hubs in Schools	Kerala to set up AI & Robotics Initiative for School Education (ARISE) hubs in high schools to promote AI and robotics learning.
3	Kerala High Court Actor Assault Case	Kerala High Court dismisses plea for suspension of sentence by second accused in actor assault case, citing prima facie evidence of conspiracy.
4	Supreme Court Judges Increase	Rajya Sabha clears Bill to increase number of Supreme Court judges; no proposal for Special Session on women’s quota or delimitation Bills.
5	Andhra Pradesh AYUSH Regulations	Andhra Pradesh drafts regulations classifying private AYUSH facilities into seven categories with mandatory registration proposed.
6	Maharashtra Bans Non-Dairy Paneer	Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration imposes one-year ban on manufacture, sale, and distribution of analogue and non-dairy paneer.
7	Congress Cabinet Expansion Unrest	Congress in damage control mode over internal dissent regarding cabinet expansion, with meetings held in Karnataka.
8	Supreme Court on Party Discipline	Supreme Court rules that having a majority is not a reason for lawmakers to defy their party, emphasizing party discipline.
9	SP Accuses BJP of Neglecting Brahmins	Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav accuses BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of neglecting Brahmins and other marginalised communities.
10	Odisha University Interference	University Teachers Association in Odisha requests Vice-Chancellor to address interference by BJP MLA in university administration.

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