Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 30 August 2026

Today’s digest covers key appointments and governance updates in Kerala, including the Kochi Metro MD transition and Peechi Dam spillway release. National highlights feature AI in healthcare, Maratha reservation agitation, and judicial responses to fraud. The digest aligns with Kerala PSC syllabus areas like governance, environment, and technology.

---

Kerala News

1. Kochi Metro MD transition as Loknath Behera’s term ends

• The District Collector has been given additional charge as Managing Director of Kochi Metro, with Loknath Behera’s term ending on August 30, 2026.
• A new MD is awaited as the metro’s ₹1,957-crore Kakkanad extension is due for commissioning in a year.

PSC relevance: Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and urban governance

2. Peechi Dam to open four spillway shutters on August 31

• The District Collector has warned residents along the Manali and Karuvannur rivers to remain vigilant as water levels could rise by up to 30 cm following the release of water from the dam.
• The spillway release is scheduled for August 31, 2026.

PSC relevance: Environment and disaster management

3. Four members appointed to Kerala State Planning Board

• G. Vijaya Raghavan and P.P. Balan are among four members appointed to the Kerala State Planning Board.
• The other two members are environmentalist Sridhar Radhakrishnan and New Delhi-based Varun Santhosh.

PSC relevance: Planning and economic development

---

National News

4. AI in healthcare: Doctors must remain final decision-makers

• Experts have stated that AI has become an important part of healthcare and medical education, and doctors must adapt to the AI era.
• Doctors have been emphasized as the final decision-makers even as AI integration grows in healthcare systems.

PSC relevance: Science & Technology and Health Governance

5. Judiciary proactively responds to emerging fraudulent schemes

• The Chief Justice of India has stated that the judiciary has proactively responded to emerging fraudulent schemes like digital arrest.
• This reflects a broader pattern of judicial intervention before legislative action.

PSC relevance: Judicial Activism and Cyber Fraud Governance

6. Manoj Jarange Patil begins indefinite hunger strike for Maratha reservation

• Manoj Jarange Patil has begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation in Maharashtra.
• He has stated that the government should not resort to delaying tactics.

PSC relevance: Constitutional provisions and social justice

7. New court complex to replace British-era Judicial Magistrate Court in Vaniyambadi

• A new court complex is set to replace the British-era Judicial Magistrate Court in Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu.
• The existing lower courts are located at least 1.5 km apart in different areas of the town.

PSC relevance: Judicial Infrastructure and Governance

8. Chennai’s second airport site selection process continues

• With the Parandur airport project shelved, Tamil Nadu is evaluating viable sites for Chennai’s second airport.
• Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district and Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district are the top contenders for the new airport.

PSC relevance: Infrastructure and Urban Development

9. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on inclusivity in Hindutva

• Mohan Bhagwat stated in New York that true Hindutva does not exclude Muslims from Bharat.
• He asserted that any Hindu who believes otherwise ceases to be a Hindu.

PSC relevance: Constitutional values and social harmony

---

10 MCQs

Q1. Who has been given additional charge as Managing Director of Kochi Metro following the end of Loknath Behera’s term?

Options: A. The District Collector B. The Chief Secretary of Kerala C. The Finance Secretary of KMRL D. The Additional Chief Secretary for Urban Development

Answer: A

Explanation: The District Collector has been given additional charge as Managing Director of Kochi Metro, with Loknath Behera’s term ending on August 30, 2026.

Q2. When is the Peechi Dam scheduled to open four spillway shutters?

Options: A. August 29, 2026 B. August 30, 2026 C. August 31, 2026 D. September 1, 2026

Answer: C

Explanation: The District Collector has warned residents that the spillway release is scheduled for August 31, 2026.

Q3. Which rivers are expected to see a rise in water levels due to the Peechi Dam spillway release?

Options: A. Periyar and Muvattupuzha B. Manali and Karuvannur C. Bharathapuzha and Chalakudy D. Pamba and Kallada

Answer: B

Explanation: Residents along the Manali and Karuvannur rivers have been warned to remain vigilant as water levels could rise.

Q4. How much could the water level rise in the Manali and Karuvannur rivers following the Peechi Dam spillway release?

Options: A. Up to 10 cm B. Up to 20 cm C. Up to 30 cm D. Up to 40 cm

Answer: C

Explanation: The District Collector has warned that water levels could rise by up to 30 cm following the release.

Q5. Which of the following is NOT a member appointed to the Kerala State Planning Board?

Options: A. G. Vijaya Raghavan B. P.P. Balan C. Sridhar Radhakrishnan D. K.V. Thomas

Answer: D

Explanation: G. Vijaya Raghavan, P.P. Balan, Sridhar Radhakrishnan, and Varun Santhosh are the appointed members; K.V. Thomas is not listed.

Q6. What is the primary concern highlighted by experts regarding AI in healthcare?

Options: A. AI will replace doctors entirely in the near future B. Doctors must remain the final decision-makers despite AI integration C. AI will increase healthcare costs significantly D. AI will reduce the need for medical education

Answer: B

Explanation: Experts have emphasized that doctors must remain the final decision-makers even as AI becomes integral to healthcare.

Q7. Which fraudulent scheme has the judiciary proactively responded to, according to the Chief Justice of India?

Options: A. Online banking fraud B. Digital arrest C. Cryptocurrency scams D. Identity theft

Answer: B

Explanation: The Chief Justice of India stated that the judiciary has proactively responded to emerging fraudulent schemes like digital arrest.

Q8. What is the primary demand of Manoj Jarange Patil’s indefinite hunger strike?

Options: A. Implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act B. Maratha reservation in Maharashtra C. Reservation for economically weaker sections D. Abolition of the caste system

Answer: B

Explanation: Manoj Jarange Patil has begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation in Maharashtra.

Q9. Which of the following locations is NOT a contender for Chennai’s second airport?

Options: A. Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district B. Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district C. Parandur D. Sriperumbudur

Answer: D

Explanation: Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi are the top contenders; Parandur has been shelved, and Sriperumbudur is not mentioned.

Q10. According to Mohan Bhagwat, what does true Hindutva entail?

Options: A. Exclusion of Muslims from Bharat B. Inclusivity of all communities in Bharat C. Prioritizing Hindu religious practices over others D. Establishing a Hindu state

Answer: B

Explanation: Mohan Bhagwat stated that true Hindutva does not exclude Muslims from Bharat and that any Hindu who believes otherwise ceases to be a Hindu.

---

Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Kochi Metro MD transition	District Collector given additional charge as MD of Kochi Metro after Loknath Behera’s term ends on August 30, 2026.
2	Peechi Dam spillway release	Peechi Dam to open four spillway shutters on August 31, 2026, warning issued for residents along Manali and Karuvannur rivers.
3	Kerala State Planning Board appointments	G. Vijaya Raghavan, P.P. Balan, Sridhar Radhakrishnan, and Varun Santhosh appointed to Kerala State Planning Board.
4	AI in healthcare governance	Experts emphasize doctors must remain final decision-makers as AI integration grows in healthcare systems.
5	Judicial response to fraud	Chief Justice of India highlights proactive judicial response to emerging fraudulent schemes like digital arrest.
6	Maratha reservation agitation	Manoj Jarange Patil begins indefinite hunger strike demanding Maratha reservation in Maharashtra.
7	Chennai’s second airport site selection	Tamil Nadu evaluates Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi as top contenders for Chennai’s second airport after shelving Parandur project.
8	Hindutva and inclusivity	RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat states true Hindutva does not exclude Muslims from Bharat.

---

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