Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 24 September 2026

The day’s news blends Kerala’s social‑welfare initiatives with major national developments in health, infrastructure and finance. Aspirants should note scheme details, budget allocations and regulatory actions that frequently appear in exams.

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Kerala News

1. Wellness hub for gig workers inaugurated in Kochi

• The centre, launched in Kochi, will provide safe rest facilities and basic welfare amenities to gig workers employed in food delivery, e‑commerce and ride‑hailing sectors.
• The hub aims to address occupational health concerns of gig workers by offering clean drinking water, sanitation, and a medical assistance desk.

PSC relevance: Labour welfare and social security schemes

2. World Maritime Day launches Kerala’s ₹400 crore maritime vision

• On World Maritime Day, the Chief Minister announced a maritime development project with an initial allocation of ₹400 crore in the 2026‑27 State Budget.
• The project is described as a long‑term vision to harness the sea’s potential for comprehensive economic development, beyond mere port expansion.

PSC relevance: Economic development and maritime sector

3. Kozhikode Janakeeya hotels decline as subsidies end

• Under the Hunger‑free Keralam initiative, Janakeeya hotels in Kozhikode have reduced from 102 outlets to 72 during the current financial year.
• Six of the hotels shut down completely after the state subsidy of ₹20 per meal was withdrawn.

PSC relevance: Poverty alleviation and state welfare schemes

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National News

4. Arunachal Pradesh cabinet approves panel for Siang mega‑dam survey

• The State Cabinet approved the formation of a panel to conduct a pre‑feasibility survey for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, expected to generate about 11,000 MW of electricity.
• The project has faced opposition from villagers who are concerned about displacement and environmental impacts.

PSC relevance: Water resources management and inter‑state projects

5. U.P. CM Yogi launches Bharat Taxi and farmer‑welfare scheme

• The Bharat Taxi scheme registers taxi drivers with zero commission and promises a social security cover of ₹5 lakh per driver.
• Simultaneously, the Mukhyamantri Krishak Samriddhi Yojana was launched to provide financial assistance to farmers, though specific benefits were not detailed in the brief.

PSC relevance: Transport policy and agricultural welfare schemes

6. Red warning issued for four Odisha districts amid deep depression

• The India Meteorological Department issued a red warning for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri districts due to an approaching deep depression.
• Disaster response forces have been placed on standby in the affected districts to mitigate potential heavy rainfall impacts.

PSC relevance: Disaster management and meteorology

7. Bombay High Court restricts firecrackers and loud music in Maharashtra festivals

• The Bombay High Court ordered that organizers and mandals must deposit ₹1 lakh as a condition for permission to use firecrackers, laser lights or music during festival processions.
• For individual applicants, the required security deposit is set at ₹50,000, aiming to enforce the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

PSC relevance: Environmental law and noise pollution regulations

8. Madhya Pradesh traders protest ‘No UPI Day’ over MDR charges

• Traders and retailers in Bhopal and Indore covered QR‑code stickers and payment confirmation soundboxes with black cloth to discourage UPI transactions on the designated protest day.
• The protest demands a rollback of merchant discount rates (MDR) charged by payment processors, which they claim erode profit margins.

PSC relevance: Digital payments, financial regulations and consumer protection

9. Bihar Cabinet sanctions establishment of two state universities

• The cabinet approved the creation of Mata Sita Women’s University at Patna and Rashtrakavi Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’ University at Begusarai.
• A total of 24 decisions were taken in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, reflecting a focus on expanding higher education infrastructure.

PSC relevance: Higher education policy and state development

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9 MCQs

Q1. Which three gig‑worker sectors are explicitly mentioned as beneficiaries of the new wellness hub in Kochi?

Options: A. Food delivery, e‑commerce, ride‑hailing B. Food delivery, logistics, tourism C. Ride‑hailing, construction, e‑commerce D. Logistics, tourism, hospitality

Answer: A

Explanation: Based on the bullet stating the centre will provide facilities to gig workers employed in food delivery, e‑commerce and ride‑hailing sectors.

Q2. What is the initial budget allocation for Kerala’s maritime development project announced on World Maritime Day?

Options: A. ₹200 crore B. ₹300 crore C. ₹400 crore D. ₹500 crore

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet mentions an initial allocation of ₹400 crore in the 2026‑27 State Budget.

Q3. During the current financial year, Janakeeya hotels in Kozhikode decreased to how many outlets?

Options: A. 62 B. 72 C. 82 D. 92

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet notes the number fell from 102 to 72 outlets.

Q4. How many Janakeeya hotel outlets shut down completely after the subsidy was withdrawn?

Options: A. 4 B. 5 C. 6 D. 7

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet states six hotels shut down after the subsidy was removed.

Q5. The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is expected to generate approximately how much electricity?

Options: A. 8,000 MW B. 9,500 MW C. 11,000 MW D. 12,500 MW

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet specifies an expected generation of about 11,000 MW.

Q6. Under the Bharat Taxi scheme, what is the amount of social security cover promised to each registered driver?

Options: A. ₹2 lakh B. ₹3 lakh C. ₹5 lakh D. ₹10 lakh

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet mentions a social security cover of ₹5 lakh per driver.

Q7. Which four districts in Odisha received a red warning alert due to an approaching deep depression?

Options: A. Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri B. Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur C. Ganjam, Rayagada, Keonjhar, Balasore D. Angul, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh

Answer: A

Explanation: The bullet lists Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri as the districts under red warning.

Q8. What security deposit must organizers pay to obtain permission for using firecrackers during festival processions in Maharashtra?

Options: A. ₹25,000 B. ₹50,000 C. ₹75,000 D. ₹1 lakh

Answer: D

Explanation: The bullet states organizers must deposit ₹1 lakh as a condition for permission.

Q9. During Madhya Pradesh’s ‘No UPI Day’ protest, traders covered QR‑code stickers with which material?

Options: A. Red tape B. Black cloth C. White paper D. Plastic sheets

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet describes traders covering QR‑code stickers with black cloth.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Wellness hub	Kochi centre offers rest, water, sanitation and medical aid to gig workers.
2	Maritime vision	Kerala allocates ₹400 crore for a long‑term sea‑based development plan.
3	Janakeeya hotels	Kozhikode outlets fall to 72; six close after subsidy ends.
4	Siang dam panel	Panel set for pre‑feasibility of 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.
5	Bharat Taxi	Zero‑commission taxi scheme promises ₹5 lakh social security per driver.
6	Odisha red warning	Red alert issued for Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri districts.
7	Maharashtra firecracker ban	Organizers must deposit ₹1 lakh; individuals ₹50,000 for festival permissions.
8	No UPI Day	Traders in Bhopal and Indore cover QR stickers with black cloth protesting MDR.
9	Bihar universities	Cabinet approves Mata Sita Women’s University (Patna) and Dinkar University (Begusarai).

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