Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 18 October 2026

This daily digest brings you key current affairs from October 18, 2026, focusing on significant developments in Kerala’s governance, economy, and culture, alongside important national updates. Aspirants will find crucial information on financial reports, agricultural trends, social welfare initiatives, and electoral processes.

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Kerala News

1. KIIFB Under Scrutiny for Financial Crisis in Keralam

• Kerala Chief Minister VD. Satheesan stated that KIIFB has plunged Keralam into a severe financial crisis.
• He made the statement after tabling the report of an expert committee, headed by former Planning Commission Member-Secretary Sudha Pillai, in the Assembly.
• The government will examine the report and consider ordering an investigation into KIIFB’s transactions, which the previous LDF government used as a special purpose vehicle to finance major infrastructure projects.

PSC relevance: State Finance, Governance, Public Administration

2. Cheruvayal Raman, ‘Nellachan’, Laid to Rest with State Honours

• Cheruvayal Raman, the 74-year-old farmer fondly known as ‘Nellachan’, passed away on Wednesday around 3.30 p.m.
• He was laid to rest with State honours.
• He was undergoing treatment for a heart-related ailment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

PSC relevance: Personalities, Agriculture, Kerala History/Culture

3. Rubber Boom Revitalizes Keralam’s Plantation Sector

• The rubber plantation sector in Keralam is eyeing a revival due to record-high rubber prices and strong demand from tyre manufacturers.
• Demand for leased plantations has risen sharply, and share-tapping arrangements are also gaining ground, lifting hopes for stakeholders.

PSC relevance: Kerala Economy, Agriculture, Industry

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National News

4. Mumbai Restaurants Plan 10-15% Menu Price Hike

• Eating out in Mumbai is expected to get costlier as restaurants plan a 10–15% menu price hike.
• The AHAR association cited rising cooking gas prices, food costs, rentals, and wages as reasons for the increase.
• Revised rates are likely to be introduced in the coming weeks.

PSC relevance: Indian Economy, Inflation, Urban Development

5. Bihar Vigilance Raids Engineer in Disproportionate Assets Case

• The Bihar Vigilance tightened its noose around a Rural Works Department engineer accused of amassing disproportionate assets.
• Simultaneous raids were conducted at the engineer’s four locations in Chhapra, Patna, Katihar, and Darjeeling.

PSC relevance: Governance, Anti-corruption, Public Administration

6. SHGs Empower Women, SARAS Mela Promotes Livelihoods

• Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in promoting women empowerment.
• 3.5 crore women have achieved the target of ₹1 lakh annual income, with Andhra Pradesh accounting for 23 lakh of them.
• The State government will provide permanent spaces for SARAS Mela in the city to support these initiatives.

PSC relevance: Social Welfare, Government Schemes, Women Empowerment, Indian Economy

7. Eri Silk from Assam Gains National Recognition

• Eri silk from Assam made a mark, reaching the President’s wardrobe.
• President Droupadi Murmu purchased a naturally dyed indigo blue Eri shawl featuring elaborate motifs for ₹4,500 at the SARAS Mela in Vijayawada.
• She made the payment via UPI, showcasing digital transaction adoption for traditional crafts.

PSC relevance: Culture, Traditional Crafts, Indian Economy, Technology (UPI), Women Empowerment

8. Guntur Civic Polls Scheduled for October 28

• Over six lakh voters are eligible to vote in the Guntur civic polls on October 28.
• Nominations will be received from October 16 to 18, and votes will be counted on October 30.

PSC relevance: Indian Polity, Elections, Local Self-Government

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which entity did Kerala Chief Minister VD. Satheesan state has plunged Keralam into a severe financial crisis?

Options: A. Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) B. Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) C. Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) D. Kerala Water Authority (KWA)

Answer: B

Explanation: Kerala Chief Minister VD. Satheesan stated that KIIFB has plunged Keralam into a severe financial crisis.

Q2. Who headed the expert committee whose report on KIIFB was tabled in the Kerala Assembly?

Options: A. Sudha Pillai B. VD. Satheesan C. KCS Paniker D. Tensing Joseph

Answer: A

Explanation: The report of the expert committee headed by former Planning Commission Member-Secretary Sudha Pillai was tabled in the Assembly regarding KIIFB.

Q3. What was the affectionate nickname of farmer Cheruvayal Raman, who was laid to rest with State honours?

Options: A. ‘Vayalachan’ B. ‘Krishichan’ C. ‘Nellachan’ D. ‘Thottamchan’

Answer: C

Explanation: Cheruvayal Raman, the 74-year-old farmer, was fondly known as ‘Nellachan’.

Q4. What is primarily driving the revival of the rubber plantation sector in Keralam?

Options: A. Government subsidies for farmers B. Record-high rubber prices and demand from tyre manufacturers C. New export markets in Europe D. Increased domestic consumption of rubber products

Answer: B

Explanation: The rubber plantation sector in Keralam is eyeing a revival due to record-high rubber prices and strong demand from tyre manufacturers.

Q5. Which Indian city’s restaurants are planning a 10–15% menu price hike due to rising costs?

Options: A. Bengaluru B. Delhi C. Mumbai D. Chennai

Answer: C

Explanation: Eating out in Mumbai is expected to get costlier as restaurants plan a 10–15% menu price hike.

Q6. The Bihar Vigilance conducted raids in a disproportionate assets case against an engineer from which department?

Options: A. Health Department B. Education Department C. Rural Works Department D. Forest Department

Answer: C

Explanation: The Bihar Vigilance tightened its noose around a Rural Works Department engineer accused of amassing disproportionate assets.

Q7. Which Union Minister highlighted the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in promoting women empowerment, alongside CM N. Chandrababu Naidu?

Options: A. Amit Shah B. Shivraj Singh Chouhan C. Nirmala Sitharaman D. Rajnath Singh

Answer: B

Explanation: Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in promoting women empowerment.

Q8. From which Indian state does the Eri silk, purchased by President Droupadi Murmu at SARAS Mela, originate?

Options: A. Assam B. Kerala C. Andhra Pradesh D. Bihar

Answer: A

Explanation: Eri silk from Assam made a mark, reaching the President’s wardrobe.

Q9. How did President Droupadi Murmu make the payment for the Eri silk shawl at the SARAS Mela in Vijayawada?

Options: A. Cash B. Credit Card C. UPI D. Bank Transfer

Answer: C

Explanation: President Droupadi Murmu purchased a naturally dyed indigo blue Eri shawl and made the payment via UPI.

Q10. On which date are the Guntur civic polls scheduled to take place?

Options: A. October 16 B. October 18 C. October 28 D. October 30

Answer: C

Explanation: Over six lakh voters are eligible to vote in the Guntur civic polls on October 28.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	KIIFB Scrutiny	Kerala CM VD. Satheesan stated KIIFB caused severe financial crisis, tabling an expert committee report by Sudha Pillai for investigation.
2	Cheruvayal Raman	Farmer Cheruvayal Raman, known as ‘Nellachan’, passed away at 74 and was laid to rest with State honours.
3	Rubber Boom	Keralam’s rubber sector is reviving due to record-high prices and strong demand from tyre manufacturers, boosting leased plantations and share-tapping.
4	Mumbai Food Costs	Mumbai restaurants plan a 10–15% menu price hike, citing rising cooking gas, food costs, rentals, and wages.
5	Bihar Vigilance Raid	Bihar Vigilance raided a Rural Works Department engineer at four locations in a disproportionate assets case.
6	SHG Empowerment	Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and CM N. Chandrababu Naidu highlighted SHGs’ role in women empowerment, with 3.5 crore women achieving ₹1 lakh annual income.
7	Eri Silk Recognition	President Droupadi Murmu purchased an Eri silk shawl from Assam for ₹4,500 via UPI at the SARAS Mela in Vijayawada.
8	Guntur Civic Polls	Guntur civic polls are scheduled for October 28, with over six lakh eligible voters and nominations accepted from October 16-18.

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