Kerala PSC Current Affairs Brief — 31 October 2026

The latest Kerala and national developments span environment, governance, electoral trends and space technology, offering a varied set of topics for PSC preparation. Key issues include forest lease controversies, exam irregularities and major policy moves across states.

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Kerala News

1. Athirappilly forest lease to be surveyed amid elephant corridor dispute

• The Forest Department opposes Plantation Corporation’s proposal to renew the lease and expand access to Athirappilly forest land, citing violations of lease conditions.
• The dispute centers on the potential blockage of an elephant corridor due to proposed pineapple farming by private agencies.

PSC relevance: Environment & Ecology (Forest Management, Wildlife Corridors)

2. PSC additional secretary R. Hari arrested in exam irregularities case

• Crime Branch arrested R. Hari, the PSC additional secretary, for alleged involvement in irregularities of the State Planning Board examination.
• Former PSC deputy secretary P. Satheesh was also arrested, while Hari had been absconding prior to his capture.

PSC relevance: Public Administration (Ethics, Examination Reforms)

3. Vigilance probe ordered on KIIFB‑financed land acquisition in Kannur

• The Kerala High Court issued orders for a vigilance probe into the KIIFB‑financed acquisition of 4,896 acres in Kannur worth ₹12,240 crore.
• The probe follows a cabinet‑approved VACB investigation that highlighted procedural lapses under the LARR Act.

PSC relevance: Land Acquisition & Finance (LARR Act, State Funding)

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National News

4. Ex‑bureaucrat files PIL against large‑scale CAPF deployment during protests

• A former bureaucrat approached the Delhi High Court seeking disclosure of details regarding CAPF requisitions made by Delhi Police for protest control.
• The petition also requests the Ministry of Home Affairs to reveal the sanction and extension orders for the deployment.

PSC relevance: Law & Order (CAPF, Judicial Review)

5. SAD announces ‘Build Punjab’ department and ultra‑low solar tariffs

• Sukhbir Singh Badal announced the creation of a ‘Build Punjab’ department to facilitate industrial development.
• The scheme will allow industries to install their own solar plants, targeting a power rate of ₹1.50 per unit.

PSC relevance: Energy Policy (Renewable Energy, State Initiatives)

6. Theni jail escape thwarted after 42‑hour manhunt

• On 26 October 2026, seventeen remand prisoners attempted to escape from Theni district jail, but were recaptured within 42 hours.
• The incident has raised concerns about prison overcrowding, staff shortages, and the need for security reforms.

PSC relevance: Criminal Justice (Prison Reforms, Security)

7. Rajasthan panchayat elections see 84.37% turnout in Jaipur’s Rampura Dabri

• The second phase of Rajasthan’s panchayat elections recorded the highest voter turnout of 84.37% in Rampura Dabri, Jaipur district.
• The elections were for Sarpanch and Ward Panch positions across the state.

PSC relevance: Electoral Processes (Local Governance)

8. JD(U) credits Nitish Kumar for Bihar’s development on foundation day

• On its 23rd foundation day, JD(U) highlighted Nitish Kumar’s role in restoring Bihar’s honour and self‑respect since 2005.
• The party’s state president emphasized improvements in infrastructure, education, and employment under his leadership.

PSC relevance: State Development (Leadership, Governance)

9. Supreme Court urges Centre to curb online misuse of court feeds

• The Supreme Court directed the Centre to take measures against the online misuse of live court feeds, following submissions by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
• Recommendations from various High Courts have been forwarded to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

PSC relevance: Information Technology Law (Judicial Administration)

10. ISRO’s GSLV launches NavIC satellite NVS‑03 into orbit

• The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle placed the next‑generation navigation satellite NVS‑03 into orbit, extending NavIC’s constellation.
• NVS‑03 carries an indigenous atomic clock and has a 12‑year mission life, enhancing regional positioning services.

PSC relevance: Science & Technology (Space Technology, Navigation)

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which department opposed the lease renewal for Athirappilly forest land?

Options: A. Forest Department B. Agriculture Department C. Revenue Department D. Tourism Department

Answer: A

Explanation: The Forest Department opposed the lease renewal, as stated in the Kerala news bullet about the Athirappilly dispute.

Q2. Who was arrested by the Crime Branch for alleged exam irregularities?

Options: A. P. Satheesh B. R. Hari C. S. Kumar D. M. Thomas

Answer: B

Explanation: Crime Branch arrested R. Hari, the PSC additional secretary, according to the Kerala bulletin.

Q3. What amount was spent on the KIIFB‑financed land acquisition in Kannur?

Options: A. ₹8,500 crore B. ₹12,240 crore C. ₹15,000 crore D. ₹9,750 crore

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kerala High Court order mentioned a KIIFB‑financed acquisition worth ₹12,240 crore.

Q4. In which court did the ex‑bureaucrat file a PIL concerning CAPF deployment?

Options: A. Supreme Court B. Delhi High Court C. Bombay High Court D. Kerala High Court

Answer: B

Explanation: The PIL was filed in the Delhi High Court, as per the national news item.

Q5. What tariff is targeted for industries installing their own solar plants under Punjab’s ‘Build Punjab’ scheme?

Options: A. ₹2.00 per unit B. ₹1.50 per unit C. ₹3.00 per unit D. ₹0.75 per unit

Answer: B

Explanation: The scheme aims for a power rate of ₹1.50 per unit, stated in the SAD announcement.

Q6. On which date did the Theni jail escape attempt occur?

Options: A. 24 October 2026 B. 25 October 2026 C. 26 October 2026 D. 27 October 2026

Answer: C

Explanation: The escape attempt happened on 26 October 2026, as reported in the national bulletin.

Q7. What was the voter turnout percentage recorded in Rampura Dabri, Jaipur during Rajasthan’s panchayat elections?

Options: A. 78.45% B. 84.37% C. 90.12% D. 71.33%

Answer: B

Explanation: The highest turnout recorded was 84.37%, according to the Rajasthan election report.

Q8. Which leader was credited by JD(U) for Bihar’s development on its foundation day?

Options: A. Lalu Prasad Yadav B. Nitish Kumar C. Ram Vilas Paswan D. Sushil Kumar Modi

Answer: B

Explanation: JD(U) highlighted Nitish Kumar’s role in Bihar’s development on the foundation day.

Q9. Which ministry was asked to act on the Supreme Court’s directive about online misuse of court feeds?

Options: A. Ministry of Law and Justice B. Ministry of Home Affairs C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology D. Ministry of Communications

Answer: C

Explanation: The directive was to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, as per the Supreme Court news.

Q10. What is the mission life of the NavIC satellite NVS‑03 launched by ISRO?

Options: A. 8 years B. 10 years C. 12 years D. 15 years

Answer: C

Explanation: NVS‑03 has a 12‑year mission life, detailed in the ISRO launch bulletin.

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	Athirappilly Lease	Forest Dept opposes lease renewal, citing elephant corridor risk.
2	PSC Exam Probe	R. Hari arrested for alleged exam irregularities.
3	Kannur Land Probe	Vigilance probe into ₹12,240 cr KIIFB land deal.
4	CAPF PIL	Ex‑bureaucrat seeks Delhi HC disclosure of CAPF deployment.
5	Punjab Solar	‘Build Punjab’ to allow solar at ₹1.50 per unit.
6	Theni Jail Escape	17 prisoners escaped on 26 Oct, recaptured in 42 hrs.
7	Rajasthan Turnout	Rampura Dabri saw 84.37% voter turnout in panchayat polls.
8	Bihar Development	JD(U) credits Nitish Kumar for post‑2005 progress.
9	Court Feed Misuse	Supreme Court orders MEITY to curb online court‑feed misuse.
10	NavIC Launch	ISRO’s NVS‑03 with 12‑year life placed in orbit.

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