Kerala

Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan wins the race for Kerala chief minister

V D Satheesan has emerged as Kerala's next chief minister after the Congress leadership backed the popular Opposition leader following strong support from party workers and the public

NIA takes over probe into seizure of gelatin sticks, detonators in Kerala

The NIA has taken over the probe into the seizure of a large quantity of gelatin sticks and detonators from Tirurangadi in Kerala's Malappuram district in February this year, officials said on Thursday. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case last month and recently approached the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I court in Parappanangadi seeking transfer of case records to its special court in Kochi, sources said. The case relates to the seizure of 89,600 gelatin sticks concealed in 448 boxes, along with 10,500 non-electric shock tube detonators, from an onion-laden lorry at Chemmad near Tirurangadi on February 7, 2026. Acting on a tip-off, police raided a brick manufacturing unit where a lorry carrying onions was parked and found people unloading the explosives from it. Officials at the Tirurangadi police station said the case has been handed over to the central agency. "We had arrested six persons in connection with the case. Though our probe indicated that th

Labour drift: South India industry feels absence of Bengal, Assam workers

Companies in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are offering incentives to migrant workers amid concerns over jobs, fuel costs and the impact of the West Asia crisis

Congress to announce its Kerala chief ministerial pick on Thursday

Kerala is likely to know the name of its next Chief Minister later on Wednesday, with indications that the Congress high command could make an announcement before noon. The delay in the decision has kept the camps of three top contenders--AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala on edge. As the Congress leadership continued discussions over the selection of Kerala's next Chief Minister, party leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) presidents in Delhi to gather their views and help end the prolonged uncertainty. Sources said the Kerala leaders called to Delhi by the party leadership during crucial discussions on Tuesday expressed their views on the Chief Ministerial choice, with the names of Venugopal, Satheesan and Chennithala figuring prominently in the consultations as the high command continued its deliberations. Former KPCC chief K Muraleedharan, after meeting Gandhi

NEET-UG 2026: Kerala student linked to Rajasthan guess paper circulation

The origins of a guess paper containing questions similar to those asked in NEET-UG 2026 medical exam were traced to a student from Rajasthan's Sikar pursuing MBBS in Kerala who went on to share it with his friends and a hostel owner, a senior official of the state's Special Operation's Group said. IG, Special Operations Group (SOG), Ajay Pal Lamba said the student first received the material from a friend and shared it with others in Sikar. The document subsequently reached several coaching students and later reached candidates in Jaipur and nearby areas before the exam that was held on May 3. Another official said the student from Kerala forwarded the guess paper with a hostel owner in Sikar and some of his friends. The hostel owner shared the guess papers to students living in the hostel, saying it could be helpful. However, the hostel owner himself later tipped off the local police about the guess paper. He had informed that a question bank had been distributed among a large ..

Assam and Kerala assembly election results: Key highlights | BJP | UDF

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA secures a big win in Assam, with Himanta Biswa Sarma set for a second term as Chief Minister. Meanwhile, in Kerala

Kerala CM suspense continues: Is there a deadline to form the govt?

Kerala's CM decision remains pending even after Congress-led UDF's decisive win, as contention among the three top leaders delays the decision, raising questions on government formation timelines

Decision on Kerala CM likely in 24 hours: Congress leader Muraleedharan

As lobbying intensifies among the three top contenders for the chief minister's post, senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan on Saturday said the party high command was likely to take a final decision on Kerala's next CM within 24 hours. The UDF's sweeping Assembly poll victory in Kerala has triggered a wave of lobbying and demonstrations by the supporters of senior leaders V D Satheesan, Ramesh Chennithala and K C Venugopal, urging the Congress leadership to select the respective leaders as the new CM. "The information from Delhi is that discussions on the chief ministerial candidate will be completed within 24 hours," Muraleedharan told reporters. Acknowledging public fervour, he emphasised that flex boards and marches alone would not determine the leadership. He added that the views of MLAs and coalition partners would also be considered by the Congress leadership. "I will not publicly reveal what I told the high command representatives. I have conveyed the sentiments of the pe

Centre plans fresh push for PM SHRI rollout in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala

The Ministry of Education is making a fresh attempt to implement the PM SHRI scheme in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala amid efforts to widen rollout

Malayalam actor Santosh K Nair dies in road accident, wife hospitalised

Malayalam actor Santhosh K Nayar passed away Tuesday morning after a road accident in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. His wife, who was with him in the vehicle, is being treated at the hospital

Kerala election results: UDF's welfare dreams amid fiscal headwinds

UDF's expansive welfare promises in Kerala face scrutiny as high debt, fiscal deficit and limited capital spending raise questions on sustainability

Tripura, Kerala top list of best-governed panchayats in India: PAI 2.0

Data shows that in Tripura, out of the total 1,176 gram panchayats which submitted data for the index, almost 943 (80.2 per cent) have figured in category 'A' as per the index

Strong rooms, unsealed rooms shouldn't be opened under any circumstance: EC

The Election Commission on Tuesday issued clear directions to all District Election Officers and Returning Officers in Kerala not to open any strong rooms under any circumstances before the day the votes are counted. The direction was issued by Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar following reports of a strong room storing EVMs in Perambra constituency in Kozhikode being opened on Monday, and reported plans to open another one in Nenmara constituency in Palakkad. "It has been reiterated that under no circumstances shall any strong rooms or unsealed rooms be opened or accessed for the purpose of preparing Index Cards or verifying data in the ENCORE portal. "All concerned officers have been directed to ensure strict compliance with these instructions to safeguard the integrity, transparency, and security of the electoral process," a statement issued by Kelkar's office said. On Monday, the Kozhikode district administration had clarified that no strong room was opened. Colle

Extreme heat: Kerala Disaster Management Authority issues public advisory

In view of rising temperatures across Kerala, the KSDMA has issued a comprehensive set of precautionary guidelines for the public to prevent heat-related illnesses. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), in a post on its social media handle, warned that extreme heat could lead to serious health conditions such as sunstroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration, urging people to take adequate safety measures. According to the advisory, the public should avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight between 11 am and 3 pm. People have been advised to stay hydrated by drinking sufficient quantities of clean water even if they do not feel thirsty, while avoiding beverages like alcohol, coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks that may cause dehydration during the daytime. Wearing loose, light-coloured cotton clothing and using protective gear such as umbrellas, hats, and footwear while stepping outdoors have also been recommended. The KSDMA further suggested increasing the intake

Sabarimala judgement proceeds on assumption that men are superior: Govt

The Centre on Thursday backed the restriction on the entry of women of menstruating age into Kerala's Sabarimala temple, saying that the top court's 2018 judgement proceeds on the assumption that men are superior and womenare on a lower pedestal. A nine-judge Constitution bench is hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, and on the ambit and scope of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant that he filed a written submission and gave instances where men are not allowed in temples. "It is a Devi Bhagwati temple, there are certain faiths and beliefs attached. There is one temple in Kerala, I read it, where men will go dressed as women. They go to beauty parlour and female family members help them dress in saree... "So it is not a question of male-centric or female-centric religi

What parties are promising in 2026’s biggest state polls | Assam polls | Kerala polls | WB polls

As five states head into high-stakes Assembly elections, manifestos are packed with cash transfers, welfare schemes, and job promises.

Kerala polls: EC seeks removal of political ads from online platforms

The EC on Wednesday noted that political advertisements were appearing on channels and online platforms on the eve of the April 9 Kerala Assembly polls and sought that they be removed immediately. The instruction was circulated by the EC's Kerala office in an official WhatsApp group comprising media groups and journalists. "Advertisements are appearing on channels and online platforms. This is not permitted during the silence period. It is requested that these be withdrawn immediately," the message said. According to the EC, campaigning through public meetings, rallies, media interactions and election-related interviews was strictly prohibited during the silence period to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders. It has also directed that no person shall display to the public any 'election matter' by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus, including radio, during the 48 hours ending with the conclusion of the poll. The 'election matter' will include

15th Kerala Legislative Assembly meets less but pushes laws faster

Despite fewer sittings, Kerala Assembly saw faster lawmaking and high committee use, raising concerns over compressed scrutiny and limited legislative deliberation

Kerala Assembly polls: Criminal cases steady, crorepati candidates surge

Nearly 40 per cent candidates face criminal cases while share of crorepatis rises to 39 per cent, underlining entrenched criminalisation and growing role of money in elections

CPI(M) in 'deal' with BJP for April 9 polls in Kerala: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday alleged that the CPI(M)-led front has struck a "deal" with the BJP for April 9 Assembly polls in Kerala. She also accused the ruling LDF of "compromising" on ideology, accountability, and responsibility in order to remain in power for 10 years. The Wayanad MP was addressing a corner meeting in Peravoor in this northern district as part of the campaign for the Assembly polls. The LDF chose to make a deal with the BJP, who "harasses" the minorities, especially the Christian community and their nuns, she claimed. Despite the massive theft in Sabarimala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose not to utter a single word against it, Vadra alleged, and pointed it out as evidence for the deal. When anyone raises a voice against the PM, they are faced with CBI, ED or income tax cases. There is no such single case against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, she claimed. She further charged that a sense of arrogance had crept into the LDF ...