Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 16 August 2026

Today’s digest covers Kerala’s Independence Day ceremonies marked by disputes over the national song, fiscal shifts in housing schemes, and public transport grievances. Nationally, key themes include governance challenges in tribal regions, lunar exploration partnerships, and state-level policy announcements.

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Kerala News

1. Kerala skips Vande Mataram at State-level I-Day function

• The State-level Independence Day function in Kerala hoisted the national flag without singing Vande Mataram, followed only by the national anthem.
• Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan led the ceremony at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.

PSC relevance: Constitutional provisions on national symbols and secularism

2. Kerala University VC’s Vande Mataram remark sparks controversy

• Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal stated that those opposing Vande Mataram did not know who their mother was.
• The remark triggered a political row amid ongoing debates on national symbols in educational institutions.

PSC relevance: Fundamental duties and cultural nationalism

3. Kozhikode passengers to protest cancelled trains on August 16

• The Malabar Train Passengers’ Welfare Association announced a stand-up protest in Kozhikode over non-restoration of trains cancelled during the pandemic.
• The protest demands the launch of new trains and restoration of services to pre-pandemic levels.

PSC relevance: Indian Railways governance and public transport policies

4. Kerala reduces LIFE Mission allocation amid PMAY-U 2.0 changes

• The Kerala government reduced allocations for the LIFE Mission, citing revised PMAY-U 2.0 guidelines requiring beneficiaries to bear 25% of project costs.
• The decision has been criticised for allegedly deceiving poor and homeless beneficiaries.

PSC relevance: Central and State housing schemes under PMAY-U

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National News

5. Jharkhand students demand CM Soren’s resignation

• Students in Jharkhand accused the JMM-Congress coalition of playing politics and demanded Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s resignation.
• A gherao of the CM’s residence has been announced for August 20 as part of the agitation.

PSC relevance: State politics and constitutional provisions on Chief Minister’s role

6. NASA invites ISRO to collaborate on Moon Base programme

• NASA invited ISRO to participate in its lunar programme aimed at building a human outpost near the Moon’s south pole.
• The programme leverages permanently shadowed craters with water ice deposits and extended sunlight availability.

PSC relevance: Space technology and international collaborations

7. Uttar Pradesh announces new Youth Policy on Independence Day

• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a new Youth Policy focusing on skill development, employment generation, and Artificial Intelligence.
• The policy includes a dedicated mechanism to implement its objectives.

PSC relevance: State-level youth empowerment schemes and AI in governance

8. Karnataka targets one lakh new jobs via Udyoga Sankalpa and Udyoga Nidhi

• Karnataka Chief Minister announced schemes Udyoga Sankalpa and Udyoga Nidhi to create one lakh new jobs in the state.
• The state also aims to establish AI hubs and achieve a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

PSC relevance: State employment schemes and economic planning

9. 72 inter-State tourist buses in Ernakulam booked for tax evasion

• The Ernakulam district administration issued demand notices to 72 inter-State tourist buses for tax evasion, seeking recovery of over ₹1 crore in dues.
• The action follows a crackdown on tax compliance in the transport sector.

PSC relevance: Tax administration and inter-State transport regulations

10. Maharashtra tribal school faces governance gaps after snakebite incident

• A common krait bit six girls at a tribal school in Gadchiroli’s Japtalai village, Maharashtra, highlighting governance issues in forested tribal regions.
• The incident underscores challenges in healthcare and infrastructure access in tribal areas.

PSC relevance: Tribal welfare and governance in scheduled areas

11. BCI Chairman apologises amid enrolment ban controversy

• The Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman apologised to law students amid a controversy over an enrolment ban.
• The apology followed criticism over statements that allegedly hurt students’ sentiments.

PSC relevance: Legal education and regulatory bodies under Advocates Act

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which song was skipped during the State-level Independence Day function in Kerala?

Options: A. Jana Gana Mana B. Vande Mataram C. Sare Jahan Se Achcha D. Saare Jahan Se Achha

Answer: B

Explanation: The State-level Independence Day function in Kerala hoisted the national flag without singing Vande Mataram, followed only by the national anthem.

Q2. Who is the Vice-Chancellor of Kerala University who made a remark on Vande Mataram?

Options: A. Mohanan Kunnummal B. V.D. Satheesan C. Pinarayi Vijayan D. Roji M. John

Answer: A

Explanation: Kerala University Vice-Chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal stated that those opposing Vande Mataram did not know who their mother was.

Q3. What is the name of the protest organised by the Malabar Train Passengers’ Welfare Association in Kozhikode?

Options: A. Train Restoration March B. Stand-up Protest C. Rail Roko Andolan D. Passenger Rights Rally

Answer: B

Explanation: The Malabar Train Passengers’ Welfare Association announced a stand-up protest in Kozhikode over non-restoration of trains cancelled during the pandemic.

Q4. Under the revised PMAY-U 2.0 guidelines, what percentage of the project cost must beneficiaries bear?

Options: A. 10% B. 15% C. 25% D. 30%

Answer: C

Explanation: The revised PMAY-U 2.0 guidelines require beneficiaries to bear 25% of the total project cost, amounting to ₹1 lakh.

Q5. Which state’s Chief Minister faced a demand for resignation from students over alleged political mismanagement?

Options: A. Bihar B. Jharkhand C. West Bengal D. Odisha

Answer: B

Explanation: Students in Jharkhand accused the JMM-Congress coalition of playing politics and demanded Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s resignation.

Q6. Which space agency invited ISRO to collaborate on its Moon Base programme?

Options: A. ESA B. Roscosmos C. NASA D. CNSA

Answer: C

Explanation: NASA invited ISRO to participate in its lunar programme aimed at building a human outpost near the Moon’s south pole.

Q7. Which state announced a new Youth Policy focusing on skill development and AI on Independence Day?

Options: A. Karnataka B. Uttar Pradesh C. Maharashtra D. Gujarat

Answer: B

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a new Youth Policy focusing on skill development, employment generation, and Artificial Intelligence.

Q8. What is the name of the employment scheme launched by Karnataka to create one lakh new jobs?

Options: A. Udyoga Nidhi B. Udyoga Sankalpa C. Both A and B D. Neither A nor B

Answer: C

Explanation: Karnataka launched Udyoga Sankalpa and Udyoga Nidhi to create one lakh new jobs in the state.

Q9. How many inter-State tourist buses in Ernakulam were issued demand notices for tax evasion?

Options: A. 50 B. 62 C. 72 D. 80

Answer: C

Explanation: The Ernakulam district administration issued demand notices to 72 inter-State tourist buses for tax evasion.

Q10. Which snake species bit six girls at a tribal school in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district?

Options: A. Russell’s viper B. Common krait C. Indian cobra D. Saw-scaled viper

Answer: B

Explanation: A common krait bit six girls at a tribal school in Gadchiroli’s Japtalai village, Maharashtra.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kerala’s Vande Mataram row	State-level I-Day function skipped Vande Mataram; Kerala University VC’s remark sparked controversy.
2	Kozhikode train protest	Passengers to stage stand-up protest on August 16 over non-restoration of cancelled trains.
3	LIFE Mission fund cuts	Kerala reduced allocations under LIFE Mission citing revised PMAY-U 2.0 guidelines requiring 25% beneficiary contribution.
4	Jharkhand CM resignation demand	Students in Jharkhand demanded Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s resignation over alleged political mismanagement.
5	NASA-ISRO Moon Base collaboration	NASA invited ISRO to participate in its lunar programme to build a human outpost near the Moon’s south pole.
6	Uttar Pradesh Youth Policy	Uttar Pradesh announced a new Youth Policy focusing on skill development, employment, and AI on Independence Day.
7	Karnataka job schemes	Karnataka launched Udyoga Sankalpa and Udyoga Nidhi to create one lakh new jobs and establish AI hubs.
8	Ernakulam tourist buses tax evasion	Ernakulam district administration issued demand notices to 72 inter-State tourist buses for tax evasion, seeking over ₹1 crore in dues.

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