Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 26 August 2026

Today’s digest blends Kerala’s vibrant Onam festivities with critical governance updates, including a government rollback on a Sabarimala project and heightened food safety measures. National headlines cover hate speech concerns, tribal student protests, and ethanol policy debates.

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Kerala News

1. Onam turnover hits ₹422.17 crore, highest in recent times

• The Onam turnover in Kerala reached ₹422.17 crore, with subsidised items accounting for ₹153.49 crore and non-subsidised items ₹268.89 crore.
• Supplyco Keralam reported the highest Onam turnover in recent times, reflecting robust festive demand.

PSC relevance: Kerala Economy (Festive economy, subsidies, Supplyco)

2. Keralam govt. rolls back Sabarimala Punyam Poonkavanam project

• The Kerala government rolled back its decision to restore the Punyam Poonkavanam project in Sabarimala after overlooking a court directive.
• The court had directed the Travancore Devaswom Board and police to issue an advisory that the project was not part of the Police Bandobast Scheme during the Mandalam-Makaravilakku festival season of 2023-24.

PSC relevance: Kerala Governance (Sabarimala, Devaswom Boards, judicial directives)

3. Safe Onam initiative: Food Safety wing intensifies vigilance on mass-catered sadyas

• The Food Safety wing launched the Safe Onam initiative, monitoring vehicles carrying fruits, vegetables, milk, dairy products, edible oils, jaggery, and other food items.
• The initiative aims to ensure food safety during mass-catered Onam sadyas across Kerala.

PSC relevance: Public Health (Food Safety Act, mass catering, consumer protection)

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National News

4. U.N. committee urges India to address hate speech and hate crimes

• The U.N. committee called on India to urgently address discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes and ensure accountability for violations.
• The committee emphasised the need for measures to combat rising incidents of hate speech and crimes.

PSC relevance: Constitutional Law (Fundamental Rights, Article 19, hate speech provisions)

5. Pune tribal students’ protest enters 13th day with no breakthrough

• The tribal students’ protest in Pune entered its 13th day as talks with the Tribal Minister yielded no breakthrough.
• A Government Resolution issued on 14 August 2026 was a major demand of the students, but the Ministry issued a stay order on it.

PSC relevance: Social Justice (Tribal rights, Government Resolutions, protest rights)

6. U.P. Congress urges PM Modi to review ethanol-blended fuel policy

• The U.P. Congress president urged Prime Minister Modi to review the ethanol-blended fuel policy, citing concerns over rising sugar prices.
• The Congress leader had previously written to the Prime Minister on 7 July 2026 raising scientific, economic, and environmental concerns.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy (Ethanol blending, sugar industry, energy policy)

7. Bombay High Court to hear PIL against Marathi rule for drivers

• The Bombay High Court will hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Marathi rule for drivers in Maharashtra.
• The petition challenges an August 12 notification of the Home (Transport) Department, which amended the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

PSC relevance: Judiciary (PIL, Motor Vehicles Act, language rules)

8. Amit Shah highlights threats from radicalisation and cyber misinformation

• Home Minister Amit Shah urged security agencies to identify and eliminate threats before they escalate, citing rising radicalisation and cyber misinformation.
• He emphasised framing India’s security policy in view of global challenges like geopolitical instability and energy insecurity.

PSC relevance: Internal Security (Radicalisation, cyber threats, security policy)

9. More than 9.3 lakh youth received government jobs in Uttar Pradesh in last nine years

• The Uttar Pradesh government stated that over 9.3 lakh youth have received government jobs in the last nine years.
• The state government announced plans to provide jobs to one lakh youth within six months.

PSC relevance: Government Schemes (Employment, youth welfare, state initiatives)

10. BJD criticises proposal to lease Bhubaneswar airport to private entity

• The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) criticised the proposal to lease Bhubaneswar airport to a private entity.
• The airport is estimated to be worth between ₹5,000 crore and ₹7,000 crore, with around 50 lakh passengers using it annually.

PSC relevance: Infrastructure (Airport privatisation, PPP models, aviation policy)

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10 MCQs

Q1. What was the total Onam turnover in Kerala as reported by Supplyco Keralam?

Options: A. ₹350 crore B. ₹422.17 crore C. ₹500 crore D. ₹380 crore

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context explicitly states the Onam turnover reached ₹422.17 crore.

Q2. Which institution reported the highest Onam turnover in recent times?

Options: A. Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation B. Supplyco Keralam C. Kerala State Marketing Corporation D. Consumerfed

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context specifies that Supplyco Keralam reported the highest Onam turnover.

Q3. What was the major reason cited by the Kerala government for rolling back the Punyam Poonkavanam project in Sabarimala?

Options: A. Court directive B. Public protest C. Financial constraints D. Environmental concerns

Answer: A

Explanation: The news context states the government rolled back the decision after overlooking a court directive.

Q4. Which court directed the Travancore Devaswom Board and police regarding the Punyam Poonkavanam project?

Options: A. Supreme Court B. High Court of Kerala C. District Court D. Not specified

Answer: D

Explanation: The news context does not specify the court but mentions a judicial directive.

Q5. What was the primary focus of the Safe Onam initiative launched by the Food Safety wing?

Options: A. Monitoring food adulteration in local markets B. Vigilance on vehicles carrying food items for mass catering C. Promoting organic farming D. Training cooks for Onam sadyas

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context states the initiative involved monitoring vehicles carrying food items like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

Q6. What did the U.N. committee call on India to urgently address?

Options: A. Climate change policies B. Discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes C. Economic reforms D. Education policies

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context explicitly mentions the U.N. committee called on India to address discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes.

Q7. How many days had the tribal students’ protest in Pune entered when the news was reported?

Options: A. 7 days B. 10 days C. 13 days D. 15 days

Answer: C

Explanation: The news context states the protest entered its 13th day.

Q8. What was the major demand of the tribal students in the Pune protest related to?

Options: A. Reservation in jobs B. Government Resolution issued on 14 August 2026 C. Infrastructure development D. Scholarships

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context states the Government Resolution issued on 14 August 2026 was a major demand.

Q9. Which state government announced plans to provide jobs to one lakh youth within six months?

Options: A. Bihar B. Maharashtra C. Uttar Pradesh D. West Bengal

Answer: C

Explanation: The news context states the Uttar Pradesh government announced plans to provide jobs to one lakh youth within six months.

Q10. Which political party criticised the proposal to lease Bhubaneswar airport to a private entity?

Options: A. Congress B. BJD C. BJP D. AAP

Answer: B

Explanation: The news context states the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) criticised the proposal.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Onam turnover	Kerala’s Onam turnover reached ₹422.17 crore, highest in recent times, with subsidised items contributing ₹153.49 crore.
2	Sabarimala project rollback	Kerala government rolled back its decision to restore the Punyam Poonkavanam project in Sabarimala after a court directive.
3	Food Safety initiative	Food Safety wing launched Safe Onam initiative to monitor food items for mass-catered sadyas across Kerala.
4	U.N. hate speech call	U.N. committee urged India to urgently address discrimination, hate speech, and hate crimes, ensuring accountability.
5	Tribal students’ protest	Tribal students’ protest in Pune entered 13th day with no breakthrough; GR issued on 14 August 2026 was a major demand.
6	Ethanol policy debate	U.P. Congress urged PM Modi to review ethanol-blended fuel policy, citing concerns over rising sugar prices.
7	Marathi rule PIL	Bombay High Court to hear PIL against Marathi rule for drivers, challenging an August 12 notification of the Home (Transport) Department.
8	Security threats	Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted threats from radicalisation and cyber misinformation, urging proactive measures.
9	U.P. employment	Uttar Pradesh government stated over 9.3 lakh youth received government jobs in the last nine years, with plans for one lakh more in six months.
10	Airport privatisation	BJD criticised the proposal to lease Bhubaneswar airport to a private entity, citing its economic value and passenger traffic.

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