Kerala PSC Current Affairs — 21 May 2026

Today’s digest features a mix of legal, social, and environmental topics. Key highlights include the Supreme Court’s decision on a UAPA case, eviction tensions in a Dalit settlement, and climate action priorities in Tamil Nadu, alongside international discussions on law violations.

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Kerala News

1. Supreme Court Upholds Bail in UAPA Case

• The Supreme Court upheld bail for a man booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with an attack on a Kerala professor, whose arm was chopped off.
• The case relates to an incident involving a professor in Kerala, highlighting issues of personal safety and legal proceedings under UAPA.

PSC relevance: Criminal Law, Judiciary

2. Eviction Attempt Triggers Tension in Dalit Settlement

• An eviction attempt at a Dalit settlement in Kunnathunadu triggered high tension, following a Supreme Court verdict from four years ago in a land dispute involving 2.65 acres of puramboke land.
• The dispute involves 2.65 acres allegedly falling within 19.30 acres of puramboke land, raising issues of land rights and social justice.

PSC relevance: Social Justice, Land Laws

3. Malankara Dam Shutters Opened for Repairs

• The Malankara dam shutters were opened for major repair works, including replacing shutter screws and installing new rubber seals.
• Maintenance works aim to ensure dam safety and water management, critical for irrigation and power generation.

PSC relevance: Water Resources, Infrastructure

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National News

4. New Worm-Eating Snake Species Named

• A new worm-eating snake species, Trachischium lalremsangai, was named after Mizoram herpetologist Lalremsanga, with one specimen found in Myanmar in 2007.
• The discovery highlights biodiversity and taxonomic research in the Northeast region.

PSC relevance: Biodiversity, Zoology

5. Bihar Cabinet Approves Funds for Health Infrastructure

• The Bihar cabinet approved ₹747.97 crore from the Bihar Contingency Fund to improve health infrastructure in rural local bodies.
• The funds aim to enhance healthcare services in rural areas, addressing public health needs.

PSC relevance: Public Health, State Finance

6. Climate Action Prioritized in Tamil Nadu

• The new government in Tamil Nadu is urged to prioritize and accelerate climate action in the state.
• Focus areas include renewable energy, carbon reduction, and environmental sustainability.

PSC relevance: Environment, Climate Change

7. PIL Filed Against Temple Funds Deposit

• A PIL plea was filed against the deposit of temple funds in state-owned non-banking finance corporations.
• The plea was admitted by Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan, who insisted on a counter affidavit within a week.

PSC relevance: Religious Institutions, Finance

8. Karnataka Plans Cauvery Water Supply to Bengaluru

• Karnataka plans to supply 2.5 tmcft of Cauvery water from Kollegal to Bengaluru’s industrial areas.
• The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal allocated 4 tmcft for industrial purposes, of which only 1.37 tmcft is currently utilized.

PSC relevance: Water Resources, Industrial Development

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International News

9. Norway Condemns International Law Violations

• Norway’s Foreign Minister condemned Russia, the U.S., and Israel for violations of international law, emphasizing the need to resist over-dependence on global powers.
• The statement was made during an interview after the Modi-Store bilateral meeting.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Diplomacy

10. Iran Examines U.S. Proposal Amid Tensions

• Iran is examining a U.S. proposal as former President Trump claims talks are in the ‘final stages.’, Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated they are reviewing the points of view of the American side.
• The situation involves diplomatic negotiations and geopolitical tensions between Iran and the U.S.

PSC relevance: International Relations, Diplomacy

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10 MCQs

Q1. Which act was invoked in the case of the Kerala professor whose arm was chopped off?

Options: A. IPC B. UAPA C. POCSO D. NDPS

Answer: B

Explanation: Supreme Court Upholds Bail in UAPA Case

Q2. What was the primary issue in the Kunnathunadu eviction attempt?

Options: A. Land dispute B. Water scarcity C. Political protest D. Industrial strike

Answer: A

Explanation: Eviction Attempt Triggers Tension in Dalit Settlement

Q3. What maintenance work is being conducted at the Malankara dam?

Options: A. Painting B. Shutter screw replacement C. Foundation repair D. Electrical upgrade

Answer: B

Explanation: Malankara Dam Shutters Opened for Repairs

Q4. Which species was named after Mizoram herpetologist Lalremsanga?

Options: A. Lizard B. Snake C. Frog D. Turtle

Answer: B

Explanation: New Worm-Eating Snake Species Named

Q5. How much funding did the Bihar cabinet approve for health infrastructure?

Options: A. ₹10.40 crore B. ₹747.97 crore C. ₹500 crore D. ₹1000 crore

Answer: B

Explanation: Bihar Cabinet Approves Funds for Health Infrastructure

Q6. What is a key focus area for climate action in Tamil Nadu?

Options: A. Deforestation B. Renewable energy C. Urbanization D. Mining

Answer: B

Explanation: Climate Action Prioritized in Tamil Nadu

Q7. Which justices admitted the PIL against temple funds deposit?

Options: A. Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan B. Justices R. Sakthivel and S. Ganesh C. Justices Eide and Store D. Justices Ben Gvir and Dela Rosa

Answer: A

Explanation: PIL Filed Against Temple Funds Deposit

Q8. How much Cauvery water does Karnataka plan to supply to Bengaluru’s industrial areas?

Options: A. 1 tmcft B. 2.5 tmcft C. 4 tmcft D. 1.37 tmcft

Answer: B

Explanation: Karnataka Plans Cauvery Water Supply to Bengaluru

Q9. Which countries did Norway’s Foreign Minister condemn for international law violations?

Options: A. China and India B. Russia, U.S., and Israel C. Iran and Myanmar D. Cuba and Italy

Answer: B

Explanation: Norway Condemns International Law Violations

Q10. What is Iran currently examining regarding the U.S. proposal?

Options: A. Trade agreement B. Points of view of the American side C. Military alliance D. Economic sanctions

Answer: B

Explanation: Iran Examines U.S. Proposal Amid Tensions

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Quick Recap

#	Topic	One-line
1	UAPA Bail Ruling	Supreme Court upholds bail in UAPA case related to Kerala professor attack.
2	Dalit Eviction	Eviction attempt triggers tension in Kunnathunadu Dalit settlement over land dispute.
3	Dam Repairs	Malankara dam shutters opened for major repair works, including shutter screw replacement.
4	Snake Species	New worm-eating snake species named after Mizoram herpetologist Lalremsanga.
5	Health Funding	Bihar cabinet approves ₹747.97 crore for health infrastructure in rural areas.
6	Climate Action	Tamil Nadu urged to prioritize climate action, focusing on renewable energy.
7	Temple Funds	PIL filed against deposit of temple funds in state-owned non-banking finance corporations.
8	Cauvery Water	Karnataka plans to supply 2.5 tmcft of Cauvery water to Bengaluru’s industrial areas.
9	International Law	Norway condemns Russia, U.S., and Israel for international law violations.
10	Iran-U.S. Talks	Iran examines U.S. proposal amid ongoing diplomatic tensions.

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