Kerala PSC Current Affairs Quiz — Last 6 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The port of Mindelo, where INS Sudarshini concluded a port call on 8 May 2026 during Lokayan 26, is in which country?
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Correct answer: B — Cape Verde
INS Sudarshini concluded its four-day port call at Mindelo, Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) on 8 May 2026.
Who was appointed as the next Chief of Defence Staff on 9 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Lt Gen N. S. Raja Subramani (Retd)
Lt Gen N. S. Raja Subramani (Retd) was appointed CDS, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan, whose tenure ends on 30 May 2026.
At the time of his appointment as the next Chief of the Naval Staff in May 2026, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was heading which command?
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Correct answer: B — Western Naval Command
Vice Adm Krishna Swaminathan has been Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command since 31 July 2025.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, named the next Navy Chief in May 2026, is a specialist in which field?
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Correct answer: D — Communication and Electronic Warfare
Commissioned on 1 July 1987, he is a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist.
Consider the following statements about the Chief of Defence Staff appointed in May 2026: 1. The Chief of Defence Staff also functions as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. 2. Lt Gen N. S. Raja Subramani was commissioned into the 8 Garhwal Rifles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The CDS also functions as Secretary, DMA, and Subramani was commissioned into 8 Garhwal Rifles on 14 December 1985.
What is the annual premium under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for ₹2 lakh accident cover?
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Correct answer: C — ₹20
PMSBY offers ₹2 lakh accident cover for ₹20 a year; ₹436 is the PMJJBY premium.
What is the entry age range for subscribers under the Atal Pension Yojana?
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Correct answer: B — 18–40 years
APY is open to people aged 18–40 who are not income-tax payers; 18–50 is PMJJBY and 18–70 is PMSBY.
Consider the following statements about the Jan Suraksha schemes: 1. PMJJBY provides life cover of ₹2 lakh to people aged 18–50 years. 2. PMJJBY, PMSBY and APY were launched in 2016. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The three schemes were launched on 9 May 2015 and completed 11 years on 9 May 2026.
Which district panchayat was named Best District Panchayat under the National Panchayat Awards 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Sepahijala (Tripura)
Sepahijala in Tripura won the Best District Panchayat award with ₹5 crore; Ganjam and Coimbatore followed, and Harippad was the Best Block.
How many panchayats were selected for the National Panchayat Awards 2025 announced in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 42
42 panchayats from 17 States/UTs were selected; 34 of them were Gram Panchayats under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar.
Consider the following statements about the National Panchayat Awards 2025: 1. Under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar, Gram Panchayats were awarded across nine themes of Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals. 2. Karnataka won the highest number of awards. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. 34 Gram Panchayats won across the nine LSDG themes, and Karnataka led with six awards, ahead of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha with five each.
The Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026), to which India was invited in May 2026, is being held in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Kigali
NEISA 2026 is scheduled at the Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda, from 18 to 21 May 2026.
Pochishe Boishakh, observed on 9 May 2026, marks the birth anniversary of whom as per the Bengali calendar?
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Correct answer: D — Rabindranath Tagore
Pochishe Boishakh marks Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary as per the Bengali calendar; the PM paid tribute on the day.
The 'Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar' 2026 coastal cleanup campaign, to be held from 12 to 19 September, culminates on which day?
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Correct answer: B — International Coastal Cleanup Day
The week-long campaign from 12 to 19 September 2026 culminates on International Coastal Cleanup Day.
For how many Assembly constituencies did the ECI publish Index Cards and Statistical Reports after the 2026 Assembly elections and bye-elections?
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Correct answer: B — 830
Index Cards and Statistical Reports were published for all 830 Assembly constituencies that went to polls.
Consider the following statements about the ECI's publication of election data in May 2026: 1. It was the first time that Statistical Reports were published within 72 hours of the declaration of poll results. 2. A re-poll was scheduled for the Falta Assembly constituency of Tamil Nadu. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The re-poll was scheduled for 144-Falta Assembly constituency of West Bengal on 21 May 2026.
Where was the second round of India–Canada CEPA negotiations held from 4 to 8 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi
The second round was held at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, hosted by the Department of Commerce.
When and where is the next (third) round of India–Canada CEPA negotiations scheduled, as per the joint statement of May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — July 2026, Ottawa
The next round is scheduled for July 2026 in Ottawa, with intersessional engagements in the interim.
Which edition of the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on 8 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
The 10th edition of the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on 8 May 2026.
Consider the following statements about the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks of May 2026: 1. The Indian delegation was led by the Defence Secretary. 2. The first India–Australia Joint Staff Talks were held alongside the Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, and both sides only looked forward to holding the first Joint Staff Talks later in the year.
Which Indian body hosted the ISO TC 20/SC 14 subcommittee meetings in New Delhi, announced in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bureau of Indian Standards
The Bureau of Indian Standards, India's National Standards Body, organised the meetings; ISRO experts and IN-SPACe's chairman took part.
The ISO subcommittee TC 20/SC 14, whose meetings India hosted for the first time in 2026, deals with which subject?
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Correct answer: C — Space Systems and Operations
ISO/TC 20/SC 14 is the 'Space Systems and Operations' subcommittee, setting standards for the whole lifecycle of space systems.
Under DILRMP 3.0, reviewed by the Rural Development Minister in May 2026, what does ULPIN stand for?
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Correct answer: A — Unique Land Parcel Identification Number
ULPIN is the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number assigned after georeferencing land parcels under DILRMP 3.0.
Under which BRICS framework is India advancing MSME cooperation during its 2026 Chairship?
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Correct answer: B — BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR)
India is advancing MSME cooperation under the BRICS Partnership on the New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR).
What was the focus of the first BRICS SME Working Group meeting held as a webinar on 24 April 2026 under India's Chairship?
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Correct answer: C — Access to Finance for MSMEs
The first SME Working Group meeting focused on 'Access to Finance for MSMEs'.
India's Pavilion opened in May 2026 at which edition of the International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia?
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Correct answer: C — 61st
The Pavilion of India opened at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia.
What is the title of the exhibition at the Pavilion of India at the Venice Biennale 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Geographies of Distance: remembering home
The India Pavilion presents 'Geographies of Distance: remembering home', curated by Dr Amin Jaffer; 'In Minor Keys' is the exhibition it responds to.
The India Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale marks India's return to the Biennale Arte after which year?
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Correct answer: A — 2019
The exhibition marks India's return to the Biennale Arte since 2019.
Operation Sindoor, whose first anniversary was marked on 7 May 2026, was launched on which date?
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Correct answer: B — 7 May 2025
Operation Sindoor was launched on 7 May 2025; 22 April 2025 was the date of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Consider the following statements about Operation Sindoor: 1. Nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir were targeted. 2. Pakistani military facilities were among the targets struck on the first day. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Government said nine sites were targeted and that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.
Under the IndiaAI–ICMR MoU of May 2026, datasets and AI models developed under which ICMR framework will be shared on AIKosh?
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Correct answer: C — MIDAS (Medical Information Data for AI Solutions)
ICMR will contribute datasets, AI models and toolkits developed under its MIDAS framework to the AIKosh platform.
What is AIKosh, to which ICMR will contribute health datasets under its May 2026 MoU with IndiaAI?
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Correct answer: B — IndiaAI's dataset platform
AIKosh is IndiaAI's dataset platform, which will give researchers, startups and innovators wider access to biomedical datasets.
What is the new base year of India's National Accounts that States and UTs must adopt for GSDP, as per MoSPI's guideline of May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 2022-23
MoSPI has updated the base year of the National Accounts to 2022-23, and States/UTs must adopt it for GSDP.
Who chaired the ACNAS Sub-Committee on Regional Accounts that prepared the uniform GSVA guideline released in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Prof. Ravindra H. Dholakia
The Sub-Committee on Regional Accounts was chaired by Prof. Ravindra H. Dholakia, former professor at IIM Ahmedabad.
How many auctioned mineral blocks had been operationalised since the auction regime began, as announced by the Ministry of Mines in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 101
101 auctioned mineral blocks have been operationalised; 212 is the number auctioned in FY 2025–26 alone.
Which state leads in the number of operationalised auctioned mineral blocks, as per the Ministry of Mines in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Odisha
Odisha leads with 34 operationalised blocks, followed by Karnataka (18) and Gujarat (11).
Consider the following statements about India's mineral block auctions: 1. The auction regime for mineral blocks was introduced in 2015. 2. FY 2025–26 recorded the highest-ever number of mineral blocks auctioned in a single financial year, at 212. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Mines: the auction regime began in 2015, and 212 blocks were auctioned in FY 2025–26, a record.
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), reviewed by the Commerce Secretary in Switzerland in May 2026, is India's trade agreement with which grouping?
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Correct answer: C — European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
TEPA is India's first trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) economies.
Under the India–EFTA TEPA, EFTA has offered improved market access on what share of its tariff lines, and what share of India's exports does this cover?
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Correct answer: A — 92.2% of tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports
EFTA offered improved market access on 92.2% of its tariff lines, covering 99.6% of India's exports.
India's merchandise exports to Switzerland in FY 2025–26 exceeded which figure, as stated during the Commerce Secretary's visit in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — USD 1.2 billion
India's exports to Switzerland exceeded USD 1.2 billion in FY 2025–26; USD 6.884 billion was services exports in 2024.
Where was the 2nd BRICS Employment Working Group meeting under India's 2026 Chairship held?
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Correct answer: D — Thiruvananthapuram
The second BRICS Employment Working Group meeting concluded in Thiruvananthapuram on 7 May 2026.
What is the theme of India's BRICS Chairship of 2026, which anchored the Employment Working Group meeting?
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Correct answer: B — Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
India's 2026 BRICS Chairship theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
The year 2026 has been declared as the Indo-French Year of what, as noted during the India–France ministerial meeting of May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Innovation
2026 has been declared the Indo-French Year of Innovation, offering an opportunity to scale up collaboration in emerging areas.
By about how much has women's participation in India's maritime sector increased since 2020, as stated at the 10th Indian Ocean Dialogue in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 340%
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said women's participation in the maritime sector has risen by about 340% since 2020.
According to NITI Aayog's school education report of May 2026, India's school education system spans about how many schools and students?
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Correct answer: C — 14.71 lakh schools and over 24.69 crore students
The report says India's school system spans 14.71 lakh schools serving over 24.69 crore students, the largest in the world.
Consider the following statements about NITI Aayog's report 'School Education System in India: Temporal Analysis and Policy Roadmap for Quality Enhancement': 1. It draws on secondary data including UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024 and ASER 2024. 2. It is based on a fresh primary household survey conducted by NITI Aayog in 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The report uses secondary data (UDISE+ 2024-25, PARAKH 2024, NAS 2017 and 2021, ASER 2024) and inputs from a February 2025 national workshop, not a primary household survey.
How many major challenges does NITI Aayog's May 2026 school education report identify?
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Correct answer: D — 11
Based on data analysis and stakeholder consultations, the report presents 11 major challenges.
To what level did India and Vietnam elevate their relations during the State Visit of To Lam in May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
The two sides elevated ties to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the earlier Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The MoU between NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Vietnam's NAPAS, signed in May 2026, relates to:
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Correct answer: A — Cross-border QR code payment interoperability
The NIPL–NAPAS MoU establishes linkages on cross-border QR code interoperability to enable payments; rare earths were covered by the IREL–ITRRE MoU.
Consider the following statements about the India–Vietnam summit of May 2026: 1. The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 2. To Lam visited India as both General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and President of Viet Nam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Joint Statement: 2026 is the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and To Lam holds both posts.
Who was appointed Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Shashi Shekhar Vempati
Shashi Shekhar Vempati was appointed CBFC Chairperson for three years by an I&B Ministry notification dated 6 May 2026.
Prasoon Joshi stepped down as CBFC Chairperson in 2026 on being elevated to which post?
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Correct answer: D — Chairman, Prasar Bharati
Prasoon Joshi stepped down from the CBFC on his elevation as Chairman of Prasar Bharati.
What is the reference period of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2025, whose detailed report was released in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — January 2025 – December 2025
ASUSE 2025 covers January–December 2025; October 2023–September 2024 was the period of ASUSE 2023-24.
As per ASUSE 2025, female proprietors headed more than 60% of establishments in which sector?
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Correct answer: D — Manufacturing
Female proprietors headed more than 60% of manufacturing establishments; construction is outside ASUSE's coverage.
The earlier School Management Committee framework, replaced by the SMC Guidelines 2026, was introduced after which law?
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Correct answer: C — Right to Education Act
The earlier SMC framework was introduced after the Right to Education Act and was largely limited to monitoring grants and infrastructure.
The SMC Guidelines 2026 aim to translate NEP 2020 into action across about how many schools in India?
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Correct answer: A — 15 lakh
Dharmendra Pradhan said the guidelines will translate NEP 2020 into action across the country's nearly 15 lakh schools.
How many downloads did the new Aadhaar App record within three months, as reported in May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 21 million
The new Aadhaar App crossed 21 million downloads in three months; 28 lakh is the number of mobile-number updates.
The new Aadhaar App supports hotel check-ins through QR code scanning by which category of entity?
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Correct answer: C — Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE)
Hotel check-ins are supported through Offline Verification Seeking Entity (OVSE) QR code scanning.
Under the Bill approved by the Cabinet in May 2026, the number of Supreme Court judges, excluding the Chief Justice of India, will rise to:
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Correct answer: B — 37
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 raises the strength by four, from 33 to 37, excluding the CJI.
The Bill approved in May 2026 to raise the Supreme Court's judge strength amends which law?
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Correct answer: D — The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 amends the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956; Parliament fixes the number by law under Article 124(1).
Consider the following statements: 1. Article 124(1) of the Constitution originally provided for a Chief Justice of India and not more than seven other judges, until Parliament by law prescribed a larger number. 2. Before the 2026 proposal, the Supreme Court's judge strength was last raised from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) by an amendment in 2019. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Article 124(1) originally fixed the CJI plus up to seven judges; the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 2019 raised the strength from 30 to 33.
What is the outlay of the Mission for Cotton Productivity approved by the Cabinet in May 2026?
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Correct answer: B — ₹5,659.22 crore
The Cabinet approved ₹5,659.22 crore for the Mission for Cotton Productivity.
What is the implementation period of the Mission for Cotton Productivity?
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Correct answer: A — 2026–27 to 2030–31
The mission covers 2026–27 to 2030–31.
The Mission for Cotton Productivity is aligned with the Government's '5F' vision. What does 5F stand for?
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Correct answer: C — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign
The 5F vision is Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign.