Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 16 September 2026

The day’s news spans scientific innovation, infrastructure upgrades, and key policy developments at both state and national levels. Aspirants should note the implications for technology, environment, and governance topics.

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Kerala News

1. IIT Palakkad develops faster heparin monitoring sensors

• Researchers at IIT Palakkad have developed sensors that enable faster monitoring of heparin levels in patients undergoing cardiac surgery or dialysis.
• Accurate dosing of heparin is crucial because insufficient amounts can cause clotting while excessive amounts may lead to severe bleeding.

PSC relevance: Science & Technology (Medical Devices)

2. NHAI to fix safety lapses on NH 66 and NH 544 in Thrissur

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reported safety lapses on NH 66 and NH 544 in Thrissur district, promising remedial actions within a month.
• The review meeting indicated that lighting and warning signs will be installed on the highways within two weeks to improve safety.

PSC relevance: Infrastructure & Transport (National Highways)

3. Removal of chemical‑laden soil in Eriyad village

• In the coastal village of Eriyad, Thrissur district, hazardous chemical‑laden soil from the defunct Binani Zinc Limited is being removed over a two‑day period as ordered by the RDO.
• The contaminated soil had been illegally dumped across private lands under the pretense of regular fill material, raising significant environmental concerns.

PSC relevance: Environment (Hazardous Waste Management)

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National News

4. Bihar CM transfers ₹579 crore for flood relief

• Bihar Chief Minister transferred ₹579 crore for flood relief operations ahead of a visit by a central team led by the Union Agriculture Minister on September 16.
• The funds are intended to support affected districts and facilitate rehabilitation measures after recent floods.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management & Centre-State Relations

5. TDP and Shiv Sena back Amit Shah’s UCC statement

• The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 16 Lok Sabha MPs and Shiv Sena with 13 MPs publicly supported Amit Shah’s statement advocating a Uniform Civil Code in all NDA‑ruled states.
• Their backing is considered crucial for the government’s efforts to push the UCC legislation at the national level.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity (Uniform Civil Code)

6. Bihar Cabinet approves ₹3,516 crore for Vishnupad Temple and river link

• The Bihar Cabinet approved a total outlay of ₹3,516 crore for development of the Vishnupad Temple area and the construction of a Son‑Falgu river link.
• The approval was part of 17 decisions taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, which also included an MoU for expanding air connectivity.

PSC relevance: Infrastructure Development & River Linking Projects

7. NCERT appoints members to English and Economics textbook committees

• Former ABVP spokesperson Saket Bahuguna has been appointed to the NCERT committee drafting English textbooks for Classes 11 and 12.
• Members of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, Sanjeev Sanyal and Shamika Ravi, have been included in the committee preparing Economics textbooks for the same classes.

PSC relevance: Education Policy & Curriculum Development

8. Meta to share child safety information directly with Indian agencies

• Meta has agreed to share child safety information directly with Indian agencies, expanding its cooperation beyond the U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
• The shared data will be provided to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) to aid in combating child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in India.

PSC relevance: Cybersecurity & Child Protection Laws

9. Kerala power discom heavily reliant on Tamil Nadu financial support

• Over the past 14 years since 2013‑14, the Kerala power distribution company has relied heavily on financial support from the Tamil Nadu government, amounting to ₹2.55 lakh crore in subsidies and grants.
• This dependence highlights ongoing challenges in achieving financial autonomy for the state’s power sector.

PSC relevance: Power Sector & Inter-state Financial Assistance

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which institute developed sensors for faster heparin monitoring?

Options: A. IIT Delhi B. IIT Madras C. IIT Palakkad D. IIT Bombay

Answer: C

Explanation: Researchers at IIT Palakkad have developed sensors that enable faster monitoring of heparin levels.

Q2. Why is accurate dosing of heparin important?

Options: A. Prevents infection B. Avoids clotting and excessive bleeding C. Improves kidney function D. Enhances blood pressure

Answer: B

Explanation: Accurate dosing of heparin is crucial because insufficient amounts can cause clotting while excessive amounts may lead to severe bleeding.

Q3. Which highways in Thrissur were reported to have safety lapses by NHAI?

Options: A. NH 47 and NH 17 B. NH 66 and NH 544 C. NH 44 and NH 48 D. NH 1 and NH 2

Answer: B

Explanation: The NHAI reported safety lapses on NH 66 and NH 544 in Thrissur district.

Q4. Within what timeframe will lighting and warning signs be installed on the highways?

Options: A. One week B. Two weeks C. One month D. Six months

Answer: B

Explanation: The review meeting indicated that lighting and warning signs will be installed on the highways within two weeks.

Q5. Which company’s chemical‑laden soil is being removed from Eriyad village?

Options: A. Hindustan Zinc B. Binani Zinc Limited C. Vedanta Ltd D. Sterlite Industries

Answer: B

Explanation: Hazardous chemical‑laden soil from the defunct Binani Zinc Limited is being removed in Eriyad village.

Q6. How much money did the Bihar Chief Minister transfer for flood relief?

Options: A. ₹300 crore B. ₹579 crore C. ₹1,000 crore D. ₹750 crore

Answer: B

Explanation: Bihar Chief Minister transferred ₹579 crore for flood relief operations.

Q7. How many Lok Sabha MPs does the TDP have that backed Amit Shah’s UCC statement?

Options: A. 10 B. 13 C. 16 D. 20

Answer: C

Explanation: The TDP, with 16 Lok Sabha MPs, publicly supported Amit Shah’s UCC statement.

Q8. What is the total outlay approved by the Bihar Cabinet for the Vishnupad Temple area development and the Son‑Falgu river link?

Options: A. ₹2,000 crore B. ₹3,516 crore C. ₹4,500 crore D. ₹5,000 crore

Answer: B

Explanation: The Bihar Cabinet approved ₹3,516 crore for the Vishnupad Temple area development and the Son‑Falgu river link.

Q9. Which Indian agency will receive child safety information directly from Meta?

Options: A. Ministry of Home Affairs B. National Crime Records Bureau C. Central Board of Direct Taxes D. Indian Space Research Organisation

Answer: B

Explanation: Meta will share child safety information directly with the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Q10. Over the past 14 years, how much financial support has the Kerala power distribution company received from the Tamil Nadu government?

Options: A. ₹1 lakh crore B. ₹2.55 lakh crore C. ₹3.5 lakh crore D. ₹5 lakh crore

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kerala power distribution company has relied on financial support from Tamil Nadu amounting to ₹2.55 lakh crore over 14 years.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Heparin sensor	IIT Palakkad developed faster heparin monitoring sensors.
2	Highway safety	NHAI to fix safety lapses on NH 66 & NH 544 in Thrissur within a month.
3	Chemical soil removal	Hazardous soil from Binani Zinc being cleared in Eriyad village.
4	Bihar flood relief	₹579 crore transferred for flood relief ahead of central team visit.
5	UCC political support	TDP (16 MPs) and Shiv Sena (13 MPs) back Amit Shah’s UCC statement.
6	Vishnupad Temple project	Bihar Cabinet approved ₹3,516 crore for temple area development and Son‑Falgu river link.
7	NCERT textbook appointments	Saket Bahuguna and PM‑EAC members appointed to English and Economics textbook committees.
8	Meta child safety data	Meta to share child safety info directly with Indian agencies, data to NCRB.
9	Power sector aid	Kerala power discom received ₹2.55 lakh crore from Tamil Nadu over 14 years.

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