Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 04 September 2026

Today’s brief covers key developments in Kerala’s environmental governance, including regulatory action against pollution and a demand for a review of the Western Ghats ESA proposal. National highlights feature ISRO’s latest satellite launch and proactive measures for glacial lake outburst risks in Himalayan states.

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Kerala News

1. PCB serves closure notice on chicken rendering unit in Edayar for Periyar pollution

• The Kerala Pollution Control Board (PCB) served a closure notice to a chicken rendering unit in Edayar after officials found unauthorised effluent discharge through a stormwater outlet pipe into the Periyar river.
• The action followed inspections by the Environment Surveillance Centre of the PCB in the Eloor industrial area.

PSC relevance: Environmental laws and pollution control (Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; PCB functions)

2. KGPA seeks review of Western Ghats ESA proposal in Kozhikode

• The Kerala Grama Panchayat Association (KGPA) called for a comprehensive review of the proposed Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) boundaries in Kozhikode district.
• The association urged the government to conduct field-level verification and address local concerns before finalising the notification.

PSC relevance: Environmental conservation and governance (Western Ghats ESA notification under Environment Protection Act, 1986)

3. Kerala High Court refuses to stay trial court proceedings in Muttil tree-felling case

• The Kerala High Court refused to stay trial court proceedings against accused persons in the Muttil tree-felling case.
• The accused had argued in their discharge petition that no permit was required for transporting the timber sold and that the charges were unsustainable.

PSC relevance: Judicial process and forest conservation laws (Kerala Forest Act, 1961; trial procedures)

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National News

4. ISRO successfully launches Earth observation satellite EOS-05

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite-05 (EOS-05) into Geosynchronous orbit at approximately 36,000 km above Earth.
• This is India’s first imaging satellite designed to monitor from Geosynchronous orbit.

PSC relevance: Space technology and ISRO missions (Space Applications Centre, satellite launch vehicles)

5. Home Secretary reviews Himalayan States’ preparedness for glacial lake outbursts

• The Home Secretary reviewed the preparedness of Himalayan States for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
• States were advised to shift focus from response-oriented approaches to preventive mitigation, risk reduction, and community-level readiness.

PSC relevance: Disaster management and climate change (NDMA guidelines, GLOF risk assessment)

6. BSP chief Mayawati rules out key party roles for Akash Anand

• Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati stated that Akash Anand lacks the required political maturity for key party roles.
• She also announced that the BSP will contest all elections across India independently, irrespective of scale.

PSC relevance: Political parties and constitutional provisions (Representation of the People Act, 1951; party constitutions)

7. BJP seeks sacking of two Karnataka Ministers over corruption allegations

• The BJP demanded the sacking of two Karnataka Ministers following allegations by a Congress MLA of corruption in contract execution.
• The MLA accused two engineers of KRIDL of collecting extra charges from contractors to be given to the district in-charge Minister and the department Minister.

PSC relevance: Governance and anti-corruption laws (Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013; state-level corruption cases)

8. Sixth day of Maratha Reservation protest sees highway blockades

• On the sixth day of the Maratha Reservation protest, supporters blocked major national highways in Maharashtra.
• Police reported an increasing influx of people visiting Antarwali Sarati, a key protest site.

PSC relevance: Constitutional provisions and social justice (Article 15, 16; reservation policies and protests)

9. BJP dismisses Congress criticism of GDP rebasing as ‘dimagi Naxal’ mindset

• The BJP dismissed Congress’s criticism of GDP rebasing as a ‘dimagi Naxal’ mindset, stating that rebasing exercises have occurred nine times since Independence.
• The party highlighted that five rebasing exercises were conducted during Congress-led governments.

PSC relevance: Economic data and statistical reforms (CSO/NITI Aayog, GDP calculation methodologies)

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which regulatory body served a closure notice to a chicken rendering unit in Edayar for polluting the Periyar river?

Options: A. Kerala State Pollution Control Board B. Kerala Water Authority C. Kerala Forest Department D. Kerala State Biodiversity Board

Answer: A

Explanation: The Kerala Pollution Control Board (PCB) served the closure notice after inspections found unauthorised effluent discharge into the Periyar river.

Q2. What was the primary reason cited by the PCB for issuing the closure notice to the chicken rendering unit?

Options: A. Unauthorised use of groundwater B. Unauthorised effluent discharge through stormwater outlet pipe C. Violation of labour laws D. Non-payment of property tax

Answer: B

Explanation: The PCB cited unauthorised effluent discharge through the stormwater outlet pipe into the Periyar river as the primary reason.

Q3. Which organisation called for a comprehensive review of the Western Ghats ESA proposal in Kozhikode district?

Options: A. Kerala State Planning Board B. Kerala Grama Panchayat Association C. Kerala Forest Department D. Kerala Biodiversity Board

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kerala Grama Panchayat Association (KGPA) demanded a comprehensive review of the Western Ghats ESA proposal.

Q4. What action did the Kerala High Court take regarding the Muttil tree-felling case?

Options: A. Stayed trial court proceedings B. Granted bail to accused C. Refused to stay trial court proceedings D. Acquitted all accused

Answer: C

Explanation: The Kerala High Court refused to stay trial court proceedings against the accused in the Muttil tree-felling case.

Q5. Which satellite did ISRO successfully launch into Geosynchronous orbit?

Options: A. INSAT-3DS B. EOS-05 C. Cartosat-3 D. RISAT-2B

Answer: B

Explanation: ISRO successfully launched the Earth Observation Satellite-05 (EOS-05) into Geosynchronous orbit.

Q6. What is the approximate altitude of the Geosynchronous orbit where EOS-05 was launched?

Options: A. 10,000 km B. 20,000 km C. 36,000 km D. 50,000 km

Answer: C

Explanation: The EOS-05 satellite was launched into Geosynchronous orbit at approximately 36,000 km above Earth.

Q7. What did the Home Secretary advise Himalayan States to focus on regarding glacial lake outburst risks?

Options: A. Only response-oriented approaches B. Preventive mitigation and community-level readiness C. Relocating populations to safer zones D. Immediate dam construction

Answer: B

Explanation: The Home Secretary advised states to focus on preventive mitigation, risk reduction, and community-level readiness for glacial lake outburst risks.

Q8. Why did BSP chief Mayawati rule out key party roles for Akash Anand?

Options: A. Lack of political maturity B. Criminal background C. Residence outside party stronghold D. Dual party membership

Answer: A

Explanation: Mayawati stated that Akash Anand lacks the required political maturity for key party roles.

Q9. Which political party demanded the sacking of two Karnataka Ministers over corruption allegations?

Options: A. Congress B. Aam Aadmi Party C. BJP D. CPI(M)

Answer: C

Explanation: The BJP demanded the sacking of two Karnataka Ministers following corruption allegations by a Congress MLA.

Q10. How many times has GDP rebasing occurred in India since Independence, according to the BJP?

Options: A. Five times B. Seven times C. Nine times D. Eleven times

Answer: C

Explanation: The BJP stated that rebasing exercises have occurred nine times since Independence, including five during Congress-led governments.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Periyar pollution	PCB served closure notice to chicken rendering unit in Edayar for unauthorised effluent discharge into Periyar river.
2	Western Ghats ESA review	KGPA sought comprehensive review of Western Ghats ESA proposal in Kozhikode district with field-level verification.
3	Muttil tree-felling case	Kerala High Court refused to stay trial court proceedings against accused in Muttil tree-felling case.
4	ISRO EOS-05 launch	ISRO launched Earth Observation Satellite EOS-05 into Geosynchronous orbit at 36,000 km altitude.
5	Himalayan GLOF preparedness	Home Secretary reviewed Himalayan States’ preparedness for glacial lake outburst floods, stressing preventive measures.
6	BSP on Akash Anand	BSP chief Mayawati ruled out key party roles for Akash Anand citing lack of political maturity.
7	Karnataka Ministers sacking demand	BJP demanded sacking of two Karnataka Ministers over corruption allegations by a Congress MLA.
8	Maratha Reservation protest	Sixth day of Maratha Reservation protest saw supporters blocking major national highways in Maharashtra.
9	GDP rebasing criticism	BJP dismissed Congress criticism of GDP rebasing as ‘dimagi Naxal’ mindset, citing nine rebasing exercises since Independence.

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