Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 19 October 2026

The day brings a mix of Kerala religious administration updates, environmental concerns, and several national governance and safety developments. Aspirants should note the factual details for quick recall.

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Kerala News

1. Melsanthi selection for Sabarimala and Malikappuram

• Two priests were selected as Melsanthis for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples on October 18 through a draw of lots by the Travancore Devaswom Board.
• The selection panel had been shortlisted by the Travancore Devaswom Board before the draw.

PSC relevance: State administration of religious institutions

2. El Niño impact on Kerala forests

• The Forest Survey of India reported 49 large forest fire incidents in Kerala in 2026 up to now, compared with 52 incidents in 2025.
• El Niño is expected to increase stress on Kerala’s forests and wildlife, with monsoon rainfall distribution being crucial for water availability.

PSC relevance: Environment & Climate Change

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National News

3. Delhi voter audit reveals errors

• A public audit of two polling booths in Delhi found over 100 voters were incorrectly marked as absent, shifted, or dead.
• Affected voters must enroll afresh using Form 6 to correct their voter registration status.

PSC relevance: Election Commission, Voter Registration

4. Congress NOC for Ramlila Maidan rally

• On September 30, Delhi Police granted a No Objection Certificate to the Congress for a rally scheduled on November 1 at Ramlila Maidan.
• The INDIA bloc finalized a joint action plan on the SIR row, including rallies and “save democracy” marches.

PSC relevance: Law & Order, Public Order

5. Joint Friday sermons in J&K and Ladakh

• More than 70 major Friday congregations across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh delivered sermons on the common theme of “imaan” on October 16, organized by the Muttahida Majlis‑e‑Ulema.
• This was described as a first‑of‑its‑kind collective religious initiative.

PSC relevance: Religion & Communal Harmony

6. Sahil Wakode protest at Azad Maidan

• Parents of the deceased student Sahil Wakode demanded the arrest of two IIT Bombay professors and called for a transparent investigation, protesting at Azad Maidan.
• The protesting student groups highlighted concerns over caste discrimination in higher education.

PSC relevance: Higher Education, Social Justice

7. Mumbai removal of unauthorized advertisements

• Between October 8 and 16, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation removed over 52,000 unauthorized banners, posters, and flags that had been erected since January.
• During the drive, 3,537 unauthorized advertisements were seized.

PSC relevance: Urban Governance, Municipal Regulations

8. SEC directive for local body elections security

• The State Election Commission directed officials to maintain law and order and deploy adequate security at nomination filing centres for local body elections on October 18.
• Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha emphasized controlling violence in some areas.

PSC relevance: State Election Commission, Local Governance

9. IMD orange alert for parts of Andhra Pradesh

• The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for the districts of Chittoor, Tirupati, and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh until 3 p.m. on October 18.
• A yellow alert remains for Rayalaseema and central Andhra Pradesh.

PSC relevance: Disaster Management, Meteorology

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10 MCQs

Q1. On what date were the two priests selected as Melsanthis for Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples?

Options: A. October 16 B. October 18 C. October 20 D. October 22

Answer: B

Explanation: Bullet states the selection occurred on October 18 through a draw of lots.

Q2. How many large forest fire incidents were reported in Kerala in 2026 up to now, according to the Forest Survey of India?

Options: A. 45 B. 49 C. 52 D. 57

Answer: B

Explanation: Bullet reports 49 large forest fire incidents in 2026.

Q3. The public audit in Delhi found over how many voters wrongly marked as absent, shifted, or dead?

Options: A. 50 B. 75 C. 100 D. 150

Answer: C

Explanation: Bullet mentions over 100 voters were incorrectly marked.

Q4. What form must the affected voters use to re‑enroll after being marked incorrectly?

Options: A. Form 5 B. Form 6 C. Form 7 D. Form 8

Answer: B

Explanation: Bullet states affected voters must enroll afresh using Form 6.

Q5. On which date did Delhi Police grant the Congress a No Objection Certificate for the November 1 rally?

Options: A. September 15 B. September 30 C. October 5 D. October 10

Answer: B

Explanation: Bullet notes the NOC was granted on September 30.

Q6. Approximately how many Friday congregations participated in the joint sermons organized by the Muttahida Majlis‑e‑Ulema?

Options: A. 50 B. 60 C. More than 70 D. 80

Answer: C

Explanation: Bullet specifies more than 70 major Friday congregations took part.

Q7. How many IIT Bombay professors were demanded to be arrested by the parents of Sahil Wakode?

Options: A. One B. Two C. Three D. Four

Answer: B

Explanation: Bullet says parents demanded the arrest of two IIT Bombay professors.

Q8. During the Mumbai drive, how many unauthorized advertisements were seized?

Options: A. 1,200 B. 2,500 C. 3,537 D. 4,800

Answer: C

Explanation: Bullet reports that 3,537 unauthorized advertisements were seized.

Q9. The State Election Commission set the deadline for security deployment at nomination centres for local body elections on which date?

Options: A. October 15 B. October 16 C. October 17 D. October 18

Answer: D

Explanation: Bullet indicates the directive was for October 18.

Q10. Which districts in Andhra Pradesh were placed under an orange alert by the IMD until October 18?

Options: A. Visakhapatnam B. Chittoor, Tirupati and Nellore C. Guntur D. Anantapur

Answer: B

Explanation: Bullet lists Chittoor, Tirupati and Nellore as orange‑alert districts.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Melsanthi selection	Two priests chosen on Oct 18 by draw of lots for Sabarimala and Malikappuram.
2	Kerala forest fires	FSI reports 49 large forest fires in 2026, up from 52 in 2025.
3	Delhi voter audit	Audit finds >100 voters wrongly marked absent, shifted or dead.
4	Form 6 re‑enrolment	Affected voters must register again using Form 6.
5	Congress NOC	Delhi Police gave Congress NOC on Sep 30 for Nov 1 rally.
6	J&K joint sermons	70+ Friday congregations delivered unified sermon on Oct 16.
7	Wakode protest	Parents demand arrest of two IIT Bombay professors over student death.
8	Mumbai ad removal	3,537 unauthorized ads seized; >52,000 banners removed.
9	SEC election security	SEC orders security deployment for local body nominations on Oct 18.
10	IMD orange alert	Chittoor, Tirupati, Nellore under orange alert till Oct 18.

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