KARNATAKA

• Karnataka’s current population estimates vary: the Election Commission (EC) projects 7.86 crore, while the National Commission on Population (TGPP) estimates 6.85 crore using the Cohort Component Method. This data is crucial for SC internal reservations and caste census planning. The Nagamohan Das Commission uses TGPP’s figure, though the Backward Classes Commission hasn’t finalized one. Declining fertility has slowed population growth, causing variance, especially in the 0–17 age group. Experts favor TGPP’s method. The next census is set for March 1, 2027.
• Kannada Press Day is observed on July 1 to celebrate the start of the ‘Mangalura Samachara’, the first Kannada newspaper published by Reverend Hermand Mogling of the Basel Mission on the same day in 1843. This year, the event focused on ‘The Battle for Factual Reporting’. CM announced the launch of the ‘CM Maadhyama Sanjeevini’ scheme, which will provide cashless treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh to a total of 2,500 accredited journalists and their dependents in the state.
• Karnataka Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) has launched the Tarangini programme, where Alexa-assistive devices have been distributed to 200 select Kendras to make Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendras more accessible to people with disabilities. In the first phase, Arivu Kendras from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar, Chickballapur, and Bengaluru South (formerly Ramanagara) zilla panchayats have been selected under the programme.

SCHEMES & POLICY

• The Union Cabinet approved the National Sports Policy (NSP)-2025, replacing the 2001 policy, aiming to make India a top-5 sporting nation by 2047. It aligns with India’s goal to host the 2036 Olympics and is built on five pillars: global excellence, economic and social development, people’s movement, and integration with education. The policy emphasizes grassroots development, rural sports, improved governance, private investment, and PPPs, while promoting sports tourism, infrastructure, innovation, and integration with the NEP 2020.
• The Union Cabinet approved a ₹99,446 crore Employment-Linked Incentive (ELI) scheme aimed at generating over 3.5 crore jobs between August 2025 and July 2027. Employers will receive incentives for hiring additional workers, including up to ₹3,000/month per new hire for up to four years in manufacturing. First-time workers may get a one-time ₹15,000 benefit. Targeting youth employment, the scheme is part of a ₹2 lakh crore package and focuses on sustained jobs and industry participation.
• The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme to boost private-sector R&D in India. Managed by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), it offers long-term loans and equity to mitigate financial risks. Targeting sunrise sectors like biotech, robotics, and deep tech, the scheme aims to enhance innovation through second-level fund managers like SIDBI and BIRAC. It marks a strategic push to increase private R&D investment and technological self-reliance.

SCIENCE

• INS Tamal, a Russian-built guided missile stealth frigate, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in Kaliningrad under Project 1135.6. It is the second of the follow-on Tushil class and is equipped with BrahMos missiles and advanced combat systems. As the 51st warship under Indo-Russian cooperation, the 125-meter vessel integrates Indian and Russian technologies. Named after Indra’s mythical sword, Tamal is India’s final foreign-built warship, marking a shift toward indigenous naval shipbuilding.
• INS Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate under Project 17A, was delivered to the Indian Navy in a record 37 months by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. It is one of seven advanced P-17A frigates, successors to the Shivalik class, equipped with stealth features and modern weapons. Designed for multi-mission blue water operations, these frigates reflect a major leap in indigenous naval design and capability, with all deliveries expected by 2026.
• India is currently testing its indigenous Cell Broadcasting system nationwide to ensure rapid dissemination of emergency warnings during disasters. Developed by C-DOT and operational across all 36 States/UTs, this system complements existing SMS alerts. During the 2-4 week testing phase, mobile users may receive test messages in English and Hindi, which require no action. Once fully operational, it will broadcast alerts in multiple Indian languages to all handsets in affected areas, enhancing public safety.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Kerala conducted India’s first fully online land registration in Manjeswaram, Kasaragod, via the ‘Ente Bhoomi’ portal
• Divyanshi Bhowmick made history by becoming the first Indian in 36 years to win the U-15 girls’ singles title at the Asian Youth Table Tennis Championships in Tashkent
• The eighth edition of the Indo-French Army exercise, ‘Shakti 2025’, that started on June 18 concluded in France
• Railways launches RailOne app to ease ticket booking, travel services
• The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Kesavan Ramachandran as the Executive Director
• After over 40 years, 337 tonnes of toxic waste from Bhopal’s Union Carbide factory have been incinerated at a private plant in Pithampur, per a Madhya Pradesh High Court directive. The process concluded by June 30, with officials assuring safety and real-time emission monitoring. The remaining ash and residue are stored in a leak-proof shed, awaiting burial in specially constructed landfill cells. The High Court will further deliberate on ash disposal and investigate local health concerns