Kerala Politics & Governance

Kerala begins four-way segregation of solid waste

1 April 2026

Kerala began applying four-way segregation of solid waste at source on 1 April, when the new solid-waste management rules took effect. The categories are wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and waste requiring special care, each with a designated processing or collection route.

Collection systems for sanitary and special-care waste were not fully available in every district. Shuchitwa Mission officials said additional facilities for special-care waste were expected within six months.

Key Facts

• Wet waste includes kitchen and food waste and should be composted at source or through a nearby composting facility.
• Dry waste such as paper, plastic, metals and glass is routed to material recovery facilities for sorting and recycling.

Kerala brings assured pension scheme into effect and raises honoraria

1 April 2026

Kerala brought its assured pension scheme for government employees into effect, replacing the state’s contributory pension scheme. Honoraria rose by ₹1,000 for anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, pre-primary teachers, literacy motivators and librarians, and by ₹500 for anganwadi helpers.

Pensions for people affected by cancer, leprosy, AIDS and tuberculosis also increased by ₹1,000.

Key Facts

• The National Pension System is a defined-contribution system regulated by PFRDA; the article does not establish that Kerala’s new assured scheme uses the same design.
• Anganwadi centres are linked to ICDS, which provides young children and mothers nutrition, preschool education and health services.

Kerala High Court flags voter confusion from similar-name candidates

1 April 2026

The Kerala High Court directed the Election Commission to consider a candidate’s request to use the name Anjali Nair on the voting machine; her official records list her as Anjali P.V. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan observed that similar-name candidates could confuse voters and criticised the practice of fielding namesakes.

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections.
• Electronic voting machines are used for voting in India.

India begins first fully digital Census; Kerala phase scheduled for June

2 April 2026

India began its first fully digital Census, using mobile applications and web portals for data collection. Kerala’s first-phase operations were scheduled to begin in June, while the national first phase was expected to continue through September.

For the first time, residents were offered a portal to submit information themselves. The second phase was scheduled to collect social and economic details, including caste information.

Key Facts

• The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, conducts the Census.
• Census population data underpin the distribution of government welfare programmes and public policy.

Supreme Court constitutes nine-judge bench for Sabarimala review

4 April 2026

The Supreme Court constituted a nine-judge Constitution Bench to hear review petitions concerning its 2018 Sabarimala verdict, which allowed women of all ages to enter the temple. Headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, the bench was scheduled to begin hearings on 7 April and would consider broader questions concerning religious freedom and judicial review of religious practices.

Key Facts

• Article 137 empowers the Supreme Court to review its own judgments and orders.
• A Constitution Bench of at least five judges addresses fundamental questions of law.

Kerala reports progress in home and postal voting

4 April 2026

Ahead of the Kerala Assembly election, the Election Commission reported that 90% of the 1,45,598 senior citizens who applied for home voting had cast their votes by 4 April. More than 60% of eligible voters in essential services had also cast postal ballots. Home voting began on 30 March, with 2,500 teams deployed.

Key Facts

• The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections.
• The ECI offers home voting to eligible voters aged 80 and above and voters with disabilities.

Supreme Court declines to interfere with Wayanad tunnel project order

6 April 2026

The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the Kerala High Court order on the Wayanad tunnel project and rejected an appeal by a nature conservation committee. It said the project could proceed, while complainants alleging breaches of its conditions could approach the National Green Tribunal. The Court described the tunnel as an important project.

Key Facts

• The statutory National Green Tribunal provides ...