Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 24 August 2026

Today’s digest covers key governance and legal developments in Kerala, including Onam-related controversies and Vigilance probes, alongside national headlines on mineral policy, prison security, and judicial scrutiny of delayed probes. The selection aligns with Kerala PSC syllabus areas such as constitutional governance, vigilance mechanisms, and judicial interventions.

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Kerala News

1. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation’s Onam kit distribution sparks political row

• The Opposition LDF alleges abuse of power over Onam kits distributed by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, claiming these include gifts from commercial establishments.
• The LDF has sought a probe into the donations, freebies, and distribution of Onam and educational kits by the Corporation.

PSC relevance: Local Governance (73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendments), Vigilance & Anti-Corruption

2. Vigilance seeks sanction to register cases over school record manipulation in Kannur

• The Vigilance department has sought sanction to register cases against officials for allegedly inflating student strength in 11 schools to retain sanctioned teaching posts.
• Irregularities detected include loss to the exchequer running into several crores due to manipulated school records.

PSC relevance: Vigilance & Anti-Corruption, Right to Education (RTE) Act

3. Kerala High Court caps removal of desilted material from Chulliyar Dam

• The Kerala High Court, in its August 20 order, directed that no more than 2,25,830.17 cubic metres of desilted material be removed from the Chulliyar Dam site.
• The court recorded the available quantity of desilted material at the site before issuing the cap on removal.

PSC relevance: Judicial Review, Environmental Governance, Water Resources

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National News

4. Parliament passes Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026

• The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was passed by Parliament, placing extraction and management of minerals under the Central government.
• The amendment has raised concerns in Odisha, a mineral-rich state, over its potential impact on fiscal health and Centre-State relations.

PSC relevance: Concurrent List (7th Schedule), Centre-State Relations, Mineral Policy

5. Two POCSO Act inmates escape from Srinagar Central Jail; search launched

• Two inmates, arrested under the POCSO Act, escaped from Srinagar Central Jail, prompting a police search operation.
• The public has been urged to share information to trace or apprehend the escaped individuals via police stations or the emergency number 112.

PSC relevance: Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Prison Administration

6. Rajasthan High Court questions police over delayed probe into Dalit family attack

• The Rajasthan High Court has sought affidavits from investigating officers and a supervisory committee regarding the delayed probe into an alleged land encroachment and attack on a Dalit family.
• The probe into the incident has changed hands six times, raising concerns over judicial scrutiny.

PSC relevance: Judicial Review, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Police Reforms

7. Tamil Nadu to explore alternative sites for Chennai’s second airport

• The Tamil Nadu government is exploring alternative sites for Chennai’s second airport, with Hosur also under consideration.
• A review meeting for the second airport was held at the Secretariat, with plans expected to be disclosed within days.

PSC relevance: Civil Aviation Policy, Infrastructure Development, State Governance

8. CPI(M) Kerala secretary alleges ED targeting political opponents

• The CPI(M) Kerala secretary M.V. Govindan claims the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is taking up cases with political motives and bias against certain parties.
• He alleges that financial misappropriation charges against BJP leaders are not being pursued with equal vigour.

PSC relevance: Enforcement Directorate (ED), Political Accountability, Anti-Corruption Laws

9. Search continues for 22 missing persons after vessel sinks off Odisha coast

• The search operation continues for 22 missing persons after a vessel sank off the Odisha coast, with two Chinese nationals rescued.
• The ship, built in 1998, was in its end-of-life period and had multiple deficiencies noted during inspections.

PSC relevance: Maritime Safety, Disaster Management, Search and Rescue Operations

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which constitutional amendment is primarily associated with the governance of local bodies in India, including the distribution of Onam kits by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation?

Options: A. 42nd Amendment B. 73rd and 74th Amendments C. 86th Amendment D. 101st Amendment

Answer: B

Explanation: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments empower local bodies like municipal corporations to manage governance at the grassroots level, including distribution of welfare items.

Q2. What is the primary concern raised by the Opposition LDF regarding the Onam kits distributed by the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation?

Options: A. Lack of budgetary allocation for the kits B. Alleged abuse of power and receipt of gifts from commercial establishments C. Delay in distribution due to monsoon rains D. Inclusion of non-vegetarian items in the kits

Answer: B

Explanation: The LDF alleges abuse of power over the Onam kits, claiming these include gifts from commercial establishments and seeking a probe into donations and freebies.

Q3. Under which Act are the two inmates who escaped from Srinagar Central Jail charged?

Options: A. Indian Penal Code, 1860 B. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 C. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act D. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985

Answer: C

Explanation: The two inmates were arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and escaped from Srinagar Central Jail.

Q4. What is the maximum quantity of desilted material that can be removed from the Chulliyar Dam site as per the Kerala High Court’s order?

Options: A. 1,50,000 cubic metres B. 2,25,830.17 cubic metres C. 3,00,000 cubic metres D. 2,50,000 cubic metres

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kerala High Court directed that no more than 2,25,830.17 cubic metres of desilted material be removed from the Chulliyar Dam site.

Q5. Which state has raised concerns over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, citing potential impact on its fiscal health?

Options: A. Jharkhand B. Odisha C. Chhattisgarh D. Rajasthan

Answer: B

Explanation: Odisha, a mineral-rich state, has expressed concerns over the potential impact of the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill on its fiscal health and Centre-State relations.

Q6. What is the primary allegation made by the CPI(M) Kerala secretary regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) actions?

Options: A. ED is not investigating financial crimes adequately B. ED is taking up cases with political motives and bias C. ED is overstepping its jurisdiction in Kerala D. ED is focusing only on non-BJP leaders

Answer: B

Explanation: The CPI(M) Kerala secretary alleges that the ED is taking up cases with political motives and bias, particularly against certain political parties.

Q7. What is the primary issue the Rajasthan High Court is scrutinizing in the probe into the attack on a Dalit family?

Options: A. Lack of evidence to file charges B. Delay in the probe, which has changed hands six times C. Inadequate compensation to the victim family D. Political interference in the investigation

Answer: B

Explanation: The Rajasthan High Court is scrutinizing the delay in the probe into the attack on a Dalit family, which has changed hands six times.

Q8. What is the primary objective of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026?

Options: A. To decentralize mineral extraction to state governments B. To place extraction and management of minerals under the Central government C. To ban private sector participation in mineral mining D. To promote export of minerals

Answer: B

Explanation: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, places the extraction and management of minerals under the Central government.

Q9. Which of the following is a key concern raised by the Vigilance department in the Kannur school record manipulation case?

Options: A. Inflation of student strength to retain teaching posts B. Misuse of mid-day meal funds C. Absence of digital records in schools D. Lack of teacher qualifications

Answer: A

Explanation: The Vigilance department alleges that student strength was inflated in 11 schools to retain sanctioned teaching posts, leading to loss to the exchequer.

Q10. What is the primary reason cited for the sinking of the vessel off the Odisha coast?

Options: A. Collision with another vessel B. End-of-life period and multiple deficiencies noted during inspections C. Poor weather conditions D. Mechanical failure due to overloading

Answer: B

Explanation: The vessel, built in 1998, was in its end-of-life period and had multiple deficiencies noted during periodic inspections by national authorities.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Thiruvananthapuram Onam kit row	LDF alleges abuse of power over Onam kits distributed by Corporation, seeks probe into donations and freebies.
2	Vigilance probe in Kannur schools	Vigilance seeks sanction to register cases over alleged inflation of student strength to retain teaching posts, causing loss to exchequer.
3	Chulliyar Dam desiltation order	Kerala High Court caps removal of desilted material at 2,25,830.17 cubic metres to prevent environmental damage.
4	Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill	Parliament passes bill placing mineral extraction under Central government, raising concerns in Odisha over fiscal impact.
5	POCSO inmates escape	Two inmates arrested under POCSO Act escape from Srinagar Central Jail; search operation launched with public assistance sought.
6	Rajasthan HC probes Dalit family attack	Rajasthan High Court questions police over delayed probe into land encroachment and attack on Dalit family, which has changed hands six times.
7	Tamil Nadu’s second airport plans	Tamil Nadu government explores alternative sites for Chennai’s second airport, including Hosur, with plans to be disclosed soon.
8	ED’s alleged political bias	CPI(M) Kerala secretary alleges ED is taking up cases with political motives and bias, particularly against certain parties.
9	Vessel sinks off Odisha coast	Search continues for 22 missing persons after a vessel sank off Odisha coast; two Chinese nationals rescued; ship had multiple deficiencies.
10	Kerala Onam celebrations	District-level Onam celebrations in Kannur inaugurated by Electricity Minister on August 24, 2026, with police extending help to tribal families.

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