Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 25 September 2026

The day’s news blends Kerala‑specific infrastructure and welfare developments with key national policy moves. Aspirants should note the figures and schemes that often appear in PSC examinations.

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Kerala News

1. Bitumen price surge impacts road projects in Kochi

• The price of a 156‑kg barrel of bitumen rose from ₹10,093 on March 5 to ₹14,915 on September 16, a rise of about 48 percent.
• Kochi Corporation is considering additional estimates to bridge the cost gap, while contractors have asked the Finance Department for a directive to cover the excess expenditure.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy – Infrastructure and Public Works

2. Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme DPR preparation

• A technical committee has been constituted to prepare the Detailed Project Report for the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme, which promises an enhanced cover of ₹25 lakh per beneficiary.
• The scheme was a key poll promise of the United Democratic Front and aims to provide comprehensive health coverage to Kerala residents.

PSC relevance: Social Welfare – Health Schemes

3. Kerala Travel Mart sets ambitious tourism targets

• The Kerala government has set a target of 5 million foreign and 100 million domestic tourists for the state, announced during the 13th edition of Kerala Travel Mart.
• The event featured 383 stalls and has attracted registrations from over 3,000 buyers interested in Kerala’s tourism products.

PSC relevance: Tourism and Economic Development

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National News

4. ASHAs contribute to AI‑enabled cervical cancer screening tool in Assam

• Around 110 Accredited Social Health Activists from Barak Valley collaborated with doctors, programmers and researchers to design digital tools for cervical cancer screening.
• The initiative aims to integrate AI‑based decision support into the state’s screening programme to improve early detection.

PSC relevance: Health & Technology – Public Health Initiatives

5. School infrastructure shutdown paralyses Arunachal capital

• A shutdown over poor school infrastructure halted activities in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, causing disruptions to education services.
• The protest also saw isolated incidents of violence and vehicle damage in the city and surrounding areas.

PSC relevance: Education – Infrastructure and Governance

6. BEST to install check‑meters to address smart‑meter billing complaints

• Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BEST) announced the installation of check‑meters to investigate consumer complaints about unexpectedly high electricity bills after the smart‑meter modernization drive.
• The move is intended to verify meter accuracy and restore consumer confidence in the new metering system.

PSC relevance: Consumer Protection – Electricity Regulation

7. U.P. International Trade Show 2026 to promote global sourcing

• The Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2026 (UPITS 2026) will bring businesses, manufacturers, exporters and buyers together on a common platform to expand market access for local enterprises.
• The state government expects the event to generate new investment opportunities and employment generation across sectors.

PSC relevance: Industrial Policy – Trade Promotion

8. Adani Group pledges ₹1 lakh crore investment in West Bengal by 2035

• Adani Group announced a commitment to invest ₹1 lakh crore in West Bengal by 2035, focusing on diversification into power generation and transmission.
• The investment includes plans to enter the power distribution market in Kolkata, traditionally dominated by the CESC group.

PSC relevance: Energy Sector – Private Investment

9. Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 triggers warning boards

• Following the enactment of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, churches have put up warning boards stating ‘Enter at own risk’ to non‑Christians to avoid legal action.
• The law aims to regulate religious conversions and imposes penalties on those facilitating conversions without consent.

PSC relevance: Law – Freedom of Religion and Anti‑Conversion Legislation

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10 MCQs

Q1. What was the price of a 156‑kg barrel of bitumen on September 16, 2026?

Options: A. ₹10,093 B. ₹12,500 C. ₹14,915 D. ₹16,000

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet states the price rose to ₹14,915 per barrel on September 16.

Q2. Between which dates did the bitumen price increase from ₹10,093 to ₹14,915?

Options: A. March 1 – September 30 B. March 5 – September 16 C. April 1 – August 31 D. May 10 – October 5

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet notes the rise occurred from March 5 to September 16.

Q3. What is the foreign tourist target set by Kerala’s government for the coming period?

Options: A. 2 million B. 3.5 million C. 5 million D. 7 million

Answer: C

Explanation: The Kerala Travel Mart bullet mentions a target of 5 million foreign tourists.

Q4. How many stalls were displayed at the 13th Kerala Travel Mart?

Options: A. 250 B. 300 C. 383 D. 420

Answer: C

Explanation: The bullet records 383 stalls at the event.

Q5. What is the maximum insurance cover promised under the Oommen Chandy Health Insurance Scheme?

Options: A. ₹10 lakh B. ₹15 lakh C. ₹20 lakh D. ₹25 lakh

Answer: D

Explanation: The scheme bullet specifies an enhanced cover of ₹25 lakh per beneficiary.

Q6. Approximately how many ASHAs participated in designing the AI‑enabled cervical cancer screening tool in Assam?

Options: A. 50 B. 80 C. 110 D. 150

Answer: C

Explanation: The ASHA bullet mentions 110 Accredited Social Health Activists collaborated on the tool.

Q7. Which city experienced a shutdown due to poor school infrastructure in the recent protest?

Options: A. Shillong B. Itanagar C. Imphal D. Aizawl

Answer: B

Explanation: The school‑infra bullet states the shutdown paralysed Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

Q8. What device will BEST install to address consumer complaints about inflated electricity bills?

Options: A. Smart‑meter B. Check‑meter C. Power‑logger D. Voltage‑regulator

Answer: B

Explanation: The BEST bullet says they will install check‑meters to investigate the complaints.

Q9. How much total investment has Adani Group pledged for West Bengal by 2035?

Options: A. ₹50 crore B. ₹5 lakh crore C. ₹1 lakh crore D. ₹2 lakh crore

Answer: C

Explanation: The Adani bullet notes a commitment of ₹1 lakh crore by 2035.

Q10. What is the name of the anti‑conversion law that prompted churches in Chhattisgarh to display warning boards?

Options: A. Chhattisgarh Anti‑Conversion Act, 2025 B. Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 C. Chhattisgarh Religious Protection Act, 2026 D. Chhattisgarh Conversion Regulation Act, 2025

Answer: B

Explanation: The bullet cites the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 as the triggering law.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Bitumen price rise	Bitumen price jumped to ₹14,915 per barrel by 16 Sept 2026.
2	Health insurance DPR	Technical committee to draft DPR for scheme offering ₹25 lakh cover.
3	Tourism targets	Kerala aims for 5 million foreign and 100 million domestic tourists.
4	ASHAs AI tool	110 ASHAs helped design AI‑based cervical cancer screening.
5	School shutdown	Itanagar faced a shutdown over poor school infrastructure.
6	BEST check‑meter	BEST will install check‑meters to verify smart‑meter bills.
7	UP Trade Show	UPITS 2026 to showcase businesses for global sourcing.
8	Adani West Bengal	Adani promises ₹1 lakh crore investment in West Bengal by 2035.
9	Chhattisgarh law	Freedom of Religion Act 2026 leads churches to post warning boards.
10	Tourism stalls	Kerala Travel Mart featured 383 stalls and 3,000+ buyers.

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