KARNATAKA

• As of July 24, Karnataka received 410 mm of rainfall, showing 0% departure from normal; however, the distribution remains highly uneven. Nine districts, including Kolar (-42%), Bidar (-40%), and Bengaluru North (-27%), face 20%–60% deficits. In contrast, Davangere (+28%) and Belagavi (+17%) saw surplus rain. Early monsoon onset and wind shifts caused a June dry spell, mainly affecting interior regions. Forecasts suggest widespread rain, especially in Malnad, coastal areas, and interior Karnataka, improving overall seasonal rainfall.
• The State government has appointed Avinash Menon Rajendran, State Mission Director of the National Health Mission as the administrator of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.

POLICY

• The Centre released the draft National Telecom Policy 2025, replacing the 2018 version, with a vision to build a “telecom product nation” emphasizing innovation, universal 5G/4G connectivity, security, and sustainability. Targets include 90% 5G and 100% 4G coverage, 80% fiberised towers, 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots, and promotion of satellite internet. The policy aims to boost R&D, 6G, manufacturing, create 10 lakh jobs, enhance cybersecurity, use AI and quantum tech, and reduce the telecom carbon footprint by 30%.

ECONOMY

• The RBI’s Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for March 2025 rose to 67.0 from 64.2 in 2024, indicating improved access, usage, and quality of financial services. Developed with regulatory inputs, it spans banking, insurance, pensions, and literacy. The index is scored on a 0–100 scale with three dimensions: access (35%), usage (45%), and quality (20%). Government schemes like PMJDY, JAM, and Digital India support inclusion. Notably, rural female online banking rose significantly to 30% in 2025.

• The government appointed former Finance and Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth as chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

ENVIRONMENT

• A 24-year study (1998–2022) by the Nature Conservation Foundation, published in Diversity and Distributions, reports a 50% coral cover decline in Lakshadweep due to repeated marine heatwaves intensified by climate change and ENSO events. Coral cover fell from 37.24% to 19.6%. Reef responses varied by depth, wave exposure, and bleaching frequency, with recovery only after heatwave-free periods. A predictive framework with six reef response clusters was developed. Scientists urge global climate action, as local efforts alone are insufficient.
• Rare Earth Minerals have been discovered in Bhati-Khera, Balotra district, Rajasthan, including bastnasite, britholite, and xenotime—key sources of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) used in smartphones, EVs, defence, and missile systems. Found in carbonatite and microgranite rocks, this discovery is strategic for India, which holds the third-largest reserves but produces only 1% of global output. The Geological Survey of India and AMD will soon auction the site for ₹10 crore under the National Critical Mineral Mission, easing environmental hurdles.