Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 25 August 2026

Today’s digest covers key Kerala developments including Onam festivities, organ donation, and railway division changes, alongside national updates on the Citizenship Amendment Act, weather disruptions, and examination reforms. These topics align with Kerala PSC syllabus areas such as governance, public health, and railway administration.

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Kerala News

1. Parents donate organs of 16-year-old accident victim in Kerala

• Aadil, a 16-year-old boy from Kerala, suffered brain stem death at 9:48 p.m. on August 23, 2026, after a two-wheeler collision on August 21.
• His parents consented to organ donation, enabling life-saving transplants for multiple recipients.

PSC relevance: Public Health & Medical Ethics (Organ Transplant Act, 1994)

2. Onam celebrations begin in Kozhikode with cultural programmes

• A week-long Onam celebration in Kozhikode started on August 25, 2026, featuring a dance performance by Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and a comedy show by Hareesh Kanaran and Nirmal Palazhi.
• The celebrations include traditional Kaikottikali and Thiruvathira performances across the district.

PSC relevance: Kerala Culture & Festivals (State Syllabus)

3. Centre’s decision to shift Mangaluru from Palakkad railway division sparks controversy

• The Mangaluru railway division is proposed to be shifted out of Palakkad railway division, a move termed unilateral by former KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran.
• The shift could result in a loss of ₹600 crore in annual freight revenue for the Palakkad division, impacting Kerala’s logistics sector.

PSC relevance: Indian Railways Administration & Revenue Sharing (Railway Act, 1989)

4. Ernakulam General Hospital’s Gastroenterology department to introduce OP services

• The Gastroenterology department at Ernakulam General Hospital has provided services to over 150 patients since its launch and is set to introduce outpatient (OP) services.
• The new medical gastroenterologist post will facilitate daily patient visits of up to 100 in the OP facility.

PSC relevance: Healthcare Infrastructure & Public Health Services (Kerala Health Services Act)

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National News

5. CAA: 23,000 certificates issued, 2.3 lakh applications received in West Bengal

• West Bengal Chief Minister stated that 23,000 certificates have been issued under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) since its implementation.
• A total of 2.3 lakh applications have been made, with 2.07 lakh pending with the state government as of August 2026.

PSC relevance: Citizenship & Immigration Policies (CAA, 2019)

6. Heavy rains cause flight diversions and traffic jams in North India

• Parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh experienced heavy rainfall on August 23–24, 2026, leading to flight diversions in Delhi-NCR and traffic jams in Jaipur.
• Many roads in these states were waterlogged, disrupting transportation and air travel.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management & Climate Change (NDMA Guidelines)

7. Jharkhand launches examination reform Yatra for transparency in recruitment

• Jharkhand’s Devendra Mahto initiated an examination reform Yatra to advocate for transparency, accountability, and fairness in recruitment examinations.
• The Yatra aims to garner public support for reforms in examination processes across the state.

PSC relevance: Governance & Public Administration (Examination Reforms, State PSC Syllabus)

8. Congress targets Modi government over rising prices and unemployment

• The Congress party highlighted rising prices of essential food items such as sugar, onions, and milk, terming the situation as ravaging the economy.
• The party questioned the lack of job opportunities, noting that 67% of unemployed Indians aged 20–29 are graduates.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy & Employment (Inflation, Unemployment Data)

9. Allahabad High Court refers Divisional Commissioner’s conduct for criminal contempt

• The Allahabad High Court referred the conduct of a Divisional Commissioner for criminal contempt after allegations of repeated calls to a judge on leave.
• The court took serious exception to the alleged interference in judicial proceedings.

PSC relevance: Judicial Ethics & Contempt of Court (Contempt of Courts Act, 1971)

10. Uttar Pradesh IAS officer accused of attempting to influence civil judge

• An IAS officer in Uttar Pradesh was accused of attempting to influence a civil judge through repeated phone calls regarding a pending case.
• The Allahabad High Court took serious exception to the alleged misconduct.

PSC relevance: Civil Services Conduct & Judicial Accountability (All India Services Act, 1951)

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10 MCQs

Q1. In which Kerala district did the week-long Onam celebrations begin on August 25, 2026?

Options: A. Thiruvananthapuram B. Kozhikode C. Malappuram D. Wayanad

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context states that a week-long Onam celebration began in Kozhikode on August 25, 2026.

Q2. What was the cause of brain stem death for the 16-year-old boy from Kerala mentioned in the news?

Options: A. Cardiac arrest B. Severe head injury from a two-wheeler collision C. Drowning D. Poisoning

Answer: B

Explanation: The context states that Aadil suffered a severe head injury in a two-wheeler collision on August 21, leading to brain stem death.

Q3. Which railway division is proposed to be shifted out of the Palakkad railway division as per the news?

Options: A. Chennai B. Mangaluru C. Trivandrum D. Kozhikode

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context explicitly mentions the shift of the Mangaluru railway division out of Palakkad.

Q4. What is the estimated annual revenue loss to the Palakkad railway division due to the proposed shift of Mangaluru?

Options: A. ₹200 crore B. ₹400 crore C. ₹600 crore D. ₹800 crore

Answer: C

Explanation: The context states that the shift could result in a loss of ₹600 crore in annual freight revenue for the Palakkad division.

Q5. How many certificates have been issued under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in West Bengal as per the latest data?

Options: A. 18,000 B. 23,000 C. 30,000 D. 50,000

Answer: B

Explanation: The West Bengal Chief Minister stated that 23,000 certificates have been issued under CAA.

Q6. Which of the following states experienced heavy rainfall leading to flight diversions and traffic jams in August 2026?

Options: A. Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh B. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka C. Punjab, Haryana, Delhi D. Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha

Answer: A

Explanation: The context mentions heavy rainfall in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh causing disruptions.

Q7. What is the primary objective of Jharkhand’s examination reform Yatra launched by Devendra Mahto?

Options: A. To increase examination fees B. To advocate for transparency and fairness in recruitment examinations C. To reduce the number of examination centers D. To introduce online-only examinations

Answer: B

Explanation: The Yatra aims to garner public support for transparency, accountability, and fairness in recruitment examinations.

Q8. Which political party criticized the Modi government for rising prices of essential food items in August 2026?

Options: A. BJP B. Congress C. AAP D. CPI(M)

Answer: B

Explanation: The Congress party targeted the Modi government over rising prices of sugar, onions, and milk.

Q9. Under which legal provision can the conduct of a Divisional Commissioner be referred for criminal contempt as per the news?

Options: A. Indian Penal Code, 1860 B. Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 C. Civil Procedure Code, 1908 D. Criminal Procedure Code, 1973

Answer: B

Explanation: The Allahabad High Court referred the conduct for criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Q10. What is the primary allegation against the Uttar Pradesh IAS officer mentioned in the news?

Options: A. Misappropriation of funds B. Attempting to influence a civil judge in a pending case C. Illegal land acquisition D. Corruption in recruitment exams

Answer: B

Explanation: The IAS officer was accused of attempting to influence a civil judge through repeated phone calls regarding a pending case.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Organ Donation in Kerala	Parents of a 16-year-old accident victim donated organs after brain stem death on August 23, 2026.
2	Onam Celebrations in Kozhikode	Week-long Onam celebrations began on August 25, 2026, featuring cultural programmes by Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and Hareesh Kanaran.
3	Railway Division Shift Controversy	Centre’s decision to shift Mangaluru from Palakkad railway division may cost ₹600 crore in freight revenue.
4	CAA Certificates in West Bengal	23,000 CAA certificates issued in West Bengal; 2.3 lakh applications received, with 2.07 lakh pending.
5	Heavy Rains in North India	Heavy rainfall in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh caused flight diversions and traffic jams on August 23–24, 2026.
6	Examination Reform Yatra in Jharkhand	Devendra Mahto launched an examination reform Yatra to advocate for transparency in recruitment exams.
7	Congress on Price Rise & Unemployment	Congress criticized the Modi government for rising prices of essential items and high graduate unemployment.
8	Contempt Case Against Divisional Commissioner	Allahabad High Court referred a Divisional Commissioner’s conduct for criminal contempt after alleged interference in judicial proceedings.
9	IAS Officer’s Alleged Influence on Judge	An Uttar Pradesh IAS officer was accused of attempting to influence a civil judge in a pending case.
10	Gastroenterology OP Services in Ernakulam	Ernakulam General Hospital’s Gastroenterology department to introduce outpatient services with a new medical gastroenterologist post.

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