KARNATAKA

• The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a regulatory framework under the newly formed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to manage B-khata properties, which are unauthorized or unregularized constructions not covered under the Karnataka Town and Country Planning (KTCP) Act, 1961. The regulation allows eligible B-khata properties developed before September 30, 2024, to be considered for A-khata conversion, granting access to civic amenities, loans, and legal transactions. This move aims to streamline ownership, ensure compliance, and integrate these properties into the tax system.
• The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysuru, launched Bhasha Sanchika, a digital platform aimed at preserving and promoting 121 Indian languages. Unveiled during CIIL’s 57th Foundation Day, it serves as a rich digital repository using D-Space technology. Accessible via text, audio, video, and images, it preserves linguistic and cultural diversity. Drawing from CIIL’s projects, it fosters research, education, and language learning, reinforcing India’s multilingual heritage and aiding the preservation of endangered languages.
• The Karnataka government will launch pre-primary (LKG-UKG) classes at 4,000 anganwadis from October, following a successful pilot in Rajajinagar. Announced by Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, the initiative aims to integrate early education into anganwadis. Over 17,000 existing staff are being trained, with no new hiring planned. The programme will be implemented in phases, with 950 centres in Belagavi. Classes will be offered in Kannada and English, with 25 children per classroom. Around 10,000 anganwadis already have the needed infrastructure, requiring two classrooms to begin operations
• Mysuru has been recognised as one of India’s cleanest cities under the newly introduced Swachh Super League 2024–25, launched as part of the Swachh Survekshan framework under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). This recognition applies to cities with a population between 3 lakh and 10 lakh.Mysuru was adjudged the cleanest city in India in 2016, and in 2023, it ranked second among cities with a population of 3 to 10 lakh.
• India’s apiculture sector is under threat from the invasive small hive beetle (SHB), a species native to sub-Saharan Africa. Recently detected in Karnataka, SHB has already caused severe damage to apiaries in at least five other Indian states, including Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal—where the first case was reported.The SHB attacks both the Asian honeybee (Apis cerana or Tudavi in Kannada) and the European honeybee (Apis mellifera). While Tudavi tends to abandon infested colonies, Mellifera colonies suffer internal destruction. During its grub stage, SHB can empty cells rapidly, and later feed on pollen, bee brood, and wax
• Researchers have uncovered evidence of a 4,000-year-old human settlement in Maski, located in Karnataka’s Raichur district. Previously known for an inscription from the era of Mauryan emperor Ashoka, Maski has now gained further archaeological significance through findings by a team of over 20 researchers from the US, Canada, and India. Excavations was around Mallikarjun Hill and the Anjaneya Swamy temple.
• Krishna water tribunal in headed by Brjesh Kumar

POLITY

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved enhanced investment powers to NTPC Limited, allowing it to invest up to ₹20,000 crore—up from the earlier ₹7,500 crore cap—in its subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL). This enables NGEL to further invest in NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NREL) and other ventures to help achieve 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032. The move will accelerate India’s clean energy transition, strengthen power infrastructure, and promote round-the-clock electricity access. It will also generate employment, support MSMEs, and boost local enterprise and socio-economic development. India has already achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its Paris Agreement target. As a leading power utility, NTPC’s ambitious renewable energy plans will significantly contribute toward India’s goal of reaching 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070.

SCHEMES

• The Union Cabinet approved the ‘Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana’ (PMDDKY) with an annual outlay of ₹24,000 crore to develop 100 low-productivity agricultural districts. The scheme merges 36 existing programs, promotes sustainable farming, and enhances infrastructure. It involves 11 departments, state participation, and public-private partnerships. Districts are selected based on productivity and credit access. Committees at various levels will oversee implementation, monitored via 117 indicators and a dashboard. The initiative aims to boost credit access, storage, productivity, and farmer income.

SOCIAL ISSUES

• Gujarat has launched India’s first Tribal Genome Sequencing Project to improve tribal healthcare. It will sequence the genomes of 2,000 individuals from tribal communities across 17 districts in the State

ENVIRONMENT

• Wayanad’s GI-tagged Robusta coffee became the first Kerala product to join the Central government’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, aiming to boost district-specific products via branding, marketing, and investment. Awarded the GI tag in 2007, Wayanad’s Robusta coffee is cultivated by over 50,000 small and tribal farmers, yielding 60,000+ tonnes annually. The ODOP recognition is expected to enhance market access, support infrastructure, and align with India’s Agri Export Policy and Climate Smart Coffee initiatives.

SCIENCE

• CERN’s LHCb experiment has observed CP violation in baryon decays for the first time, marking a major breakthrough in particle physics. Studying the Λb0 baryon, which decays into a proton, kaon, and pion, researchers found a 2.45% decay asymmetry with a 5.2σ significance. This violation of charge-parity symmetry—previously only seen in mesons—helps explain why matter dominates over antimatter in the universe, aligns with the Standard Model, and opens doors for deeper understanding of baryonic decay phases.
• India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Prithvi-II and Agni-I missiles from the Odisha coast, validating their technical and operational capabilities. Conducted by the Strategic Forces Command, the tests reinforce India’s nuclear deterrence. Prithvi-II has a 350 km range and a 500 kg payload, while Agni-I ranges 700–900 km with up to 1,000 kg payload. Both can carry nuclear warheads. Additionally, India tested the Akash Prime missile in Ladakh, showcasing enhanced air defence at high altitudes near the Line of Actual Control.
• India has submitted a Letter of Request (LoR) to the United States seeking co-production of the Javelin missile under their defence cooperation. The Javelin is a man-portable, American-made Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It entered service with the U.S. military in 1996 and is designed to destroy heavily armored targets like tanks, bunkers, and helicopters. With infrared homing and fire-and-forget guidance, it supports both top-attack and direct-attack modes, with a range up to 4 km.
• IIT Madras has launched YD One, India’s lightest active wheelchair, weighing just 9 kg. Made from aerospace-grade carbon-fibre and aluminum, its mono-tube rigid-frame ensures durability, energy efficiency, and easy portability—perfect for transport in cars, autos, or public transit. Fully customisable to the user’s posture and mobility needs, it costs around ₹74,700–80,000, much less than imported versions priced over ₹2.5 lakh. Developed by IIT-M’s R2D2 center with Thryv Mobility, YD One meets ISO standards and has passed extensive durability tests. The first 20 units are donated via Trimble CSR, with nationwide production planned, enhancing mobility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
• A new therapy called zimelisceel has shown promise in treating severe Type 1 diabetes by using lab-grown stem cell-derived islet cells. In a clinical trial involving 12 patients, the cells were infused into the liver, leading to restored insulin production and better blood sugar control within 90 days. By one year, insulin output more than doubled. All patients reduced dependence on external insulin. The cells were created from pluripotent stem cells and required immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection. Phase 3 trials with 50 participants are underway. While promising, challenges include cost, accessibility, and long-term side effects.

INTERNATIONAL

• NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), said it had further enhanced the UPI-PayNow real-time payment linkage by adding 13 more banks on the platform, thus extending its reach and simplifying cross-border remittances between India and Singapore.
• India and the US are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA), aiming for conclusion by year-end, based on terms finalized in April. Current US tariffs include 10% baseline and sectoral duties on steel, aluminium, and fentanyl-linked imports from China. These have reduced Chinese imports and raised US revenue. India’s exports, especially in steel, aluminium, and copper, are already affected. Trump has threatened broader tariffs on BRICS nations and Russian oil importers—India being a major buyer. He also plans high tariffs on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, potentially up to 200%, with drugmakers given a year to adjust to new policies.
• France formally handed its last two military bases to Senegal, ending a 65-year troop presence and leaving no permanent French camps in west or central Africa. This move echoes continent-wide demands for sovereignty as France consolidates its military presence only in Djibouti

MISCELLANEOUS

• Ahmedabad (Gujarat) ranked the cleanest million-plus city in the 2025 Swachh Survekshan, followed by Bhopal and Lucknow. A new ‘Swachh Shahar’ category was introduced to encourage newer cities, with the same trio topping it. Mira-Bhayandar led among 3–10 lakh population cities, while Bilaspur and Jamshedpur topped in the 50,000–3 lakh group. Dewas, Karhad, and Karnal excelled among medium cities. Indore and 22 others joined the Super Swachh League. Special awards recognized Prayagraj, Secunderabad, Visakhapatnam, Jabalpur, and Gorakhpur.
• Indian women’s hockey team striker Deepika won the Poligras Magic Skill Award for her field goal against the Netherlands during the Bhubaneswar-leg of the 2024-25 FIH Pro League. The award celebrates the most creative and skilful moments in the Pro League and is voted by fans worldwide.
• Indian Culinary Institute Noida Kicks Off Academic Year with Grand Orientation for BBA and MBA Culinary Arts Students