Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 20 September 2026

Today’s digest blends important developments from Kerala—ranging from higher‑education reforms to education‑policy stays—with significant national events affecting governance, security and the economy. Aspirants should note the factual details for quick revision.

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Kerala News

1. Calicut University to form separate research scholars’ union

• The five‑member panel’s proposals approved by the Syndicate include creation of a separate union for research scholars at Calicut University.
• The existing Doctoral Students’ Union (DSU) is slated for dissolution as part of the reforms.

PSC relevance: Higher Education Governance, University Administration

2. I&B Ministry denies censor exemption to 31 films at IDSFFK

• The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting refused to grant censor exemption to 31 films slated for the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).
• The denied films include 18 officially selected festival entries, nine International Non‑Fiction titles, three Festival Winners, and one film from the Nepal package.

PSC relevance: Media Regulation, Information & Broadcasting Act

3. State stays 30% minimum marks rule for class X

• The Kerala government has stayed the implementation of a rule requiring a minimum of 30% marks in the theory component of each subject for class X examinations after classes VIII and IX.
• The stay was issued following concerns from teachers’ unions and parents about the new assessment criteria.

PSC relevance: Education Policy, School Examination Regulations

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National News

4. Home Minister Amit Shah misses Hubballi college inauguration

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah was unable to attend the inauguration of a college in Hubballi on September 19 due to ill health.
• The event was postponed, and the minister’s absence was noted by local officials.

PSC relevance: Union Ministries, Governance

5. Delhi voters face repeated document verification at SIR centres

• Residents of Delhi are making repeated trips to SIR hearing centres to produce documents proving their eligibility to vote, despite having voted for years.
• The process has been criticized for causing inconvenience and delays in confirming voter status.

PSC relevance: Electoral Process, Election Commission of India

6. India‑Pakistan sea incident on September 15

• On September 15, an incident occurred in the North Arabian Sea involving Indian and Pakistani vessels, leading to accusations of violation of Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement.
• Both sides exchanged statements, but no damage to vessels was reported.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Maritime Security

7. U.S. Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Act impacts Indian oil imports

• The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, 2026 imposes tariffs on imports of Russian oil into India unless a waiver is granted.
• The act also includes provisions for possible waivers and affects India’s energy trade balance.

PSC relevance: International Trade, Economic Policy

8. Home Ministry designates Shahzad Bhatti network as terror group

• Pakistani social media influencer Shahzad Bhatti’s campaign, which spread fear across 14 Indian states, was designated as a terror network by the Home Ministry.
• The designation follows investigations linking the campaign to extremist activities.

PSC relevance: Internal Security, Terrorism Laws

9. Bihar CM donates one month’s salary for flood relief

• The Chief Minister of Bihar donated one month’s salary to flood victims after floods affected nearly 50 lakh people in 15 districts.
• A central team led by the Union Agriculture Minister visited the state to assess damage.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management, Welfare Schemes

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which university is set to have a separate union for research scholars as per the Syndicate‑approved panel?

Options: A. Calicut University B. Mahatma Gandhi University C. Kerala University D. University of Kerala

Answer: A

Explanation: The bullet states that a separate union for research scholars will be created at Calicut University.

Q2. How many films were denied censor exemption by the I&B Ministry for IDSFFK?

Options: A. 18 B. 31 C. 45 D. 60

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet notes that the Ministry refused exemption for 31 films slated for IDSFFK.

Q3. What minimum percentage of marks in the theory component was to be mandated for class X before the stay?

Options: A. 20% B. 25% C. 30% D. 35%

Answer: C

Explanation: The Kerala bullet specifies a rule requiring a minimum of 30% marks in the theory component for class X.

Q4. On which date did Union Home Minister Amit Shah miss a college inauguration in Hubballi?

Options: A. September 17 B. September 18 C. September 19 D. September 20

Answer: C

Explanation: The national bullet reports that Amit Shah was unable to attend the inauguration on September 19 due to ill health.

Q5. In Delhi, what are residents repeatedly required to do at SIR hearing centres?

Options: A. Pay fines B. Produce documents to prove voting eligibility C. Register new addresses D. Apply for new voter IDs

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet describes Delhi residents making repeated trips to produce documents proving their voting eligibility.

Q6. Which article of the 1991 Agreement was alleged to be violated in the September 15 sea incident?

Options: A. Article 5 B. Article 8 C. Article 10 D. Article 12

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet mentions accusations of violation of Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement.

Q7. The 2026 Lindsey O. Graham Act imposes tariffs on India’s imports of which country’s oil?

Options: A. Saudi Arabia B. Russia C. Iran D. Venezuela

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet states the act imposes tariffs on imports of Russian oil into India.

Q8. How many states were reported to be affected by Shahzad Bhatti’s campaign before it was designated a terror network?

Options: A. 10 B. 12 C. 14 D. 16

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet notes the campaign spread fear across 14 Indian states.

Q9. Approximately how many people were affected by the floods in Bihar that prompted the CM’s salary donation?

Options: A. 10 lakh B. 30 lakh C. 50 lakh D. 70 lakh

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet indicates floods affected nearly 50 lakh people in 15 districts.

Q10. In which district did youths climb a cross near Munnar, leading to a police complaint?

Options: A. Alappuzha B. Idukki C. Kottayam D. Ernakulam

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet reports the incident occurred at Pallivasal near Munnar in Idukki district.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Calicut University union	Separate union for research scholars approved; DSU to be dissolved.
2	IDSFFK film exemption	31 films denied censor exemption by I&B Ministry.
3	30% marks rule stay	State stays rule requiring 30% theory marks for class X.
4	Amit Shah illness	Home Minister missed Hubballi college inauguration on Sep 19.
5	Delhi voter docs	Delhi residents repeatedly produce documents at SIR centres to prove voting eligibility.
6	India‑Pakistan sea clash	Sep 15 incident in North Arabian Sea alleged violation of Article 10.
7	US sanctions act	Lindsey O. Graham Act imposes tariffs on Russian oil imports to India.
8	Shahzad Bhatti terror tag	Influencer’s campaign across 14 states designated as terror network.
9	Bihar flood relief	Bihar CM donates one month’s salary after floods affect ~50 lakh people.

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