KARNATAKA

• Karnataka has dropped its ambitious 2024-25 plan for 2,500 public EV charging stations (PPP model) due to poor stakeholder response and commercial unviability. Bescom, the nodal agency, faced tender failures, inter-departmental land issues, and lack of demand in allocated sites. Despite 1.04 lakh new EVs in 2025, users find public charging unreliable, preferring home options. The state now directs Bescom to set up only 100 stations for ₹35 crore, acknowledging infrastructure challenges.
• Bangalore Airport Services Limited (BASL), a BIAL subsidiary, opened the O’Vetra lounge at Tiruchirappalli International Airport. Mirroring Bengaluru KIA’s lounge services, it spans 450 sq m domestic (107 guests) and 620 sq m international (150 guests). The architecture uniquely blends Tiruchirappalli’s cultural elements, featuring Kolam-inspired walls, Kaveri River-blue flooring, and Rock Fort Temple-inspired palettes. This PRM-compliant facility marks BASL’s first expansion beyond Bengaluru, reflecting regional soul and elevating travel experience

SCHEME

• The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) on Saturday launched ‘Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana’, a scheme to strengthen legal aid for defence personnel and their families, during the North Zone Regional Conference held in Srinagar. The topic of the conference was ‘Reaffirming the Constitutional Vision of Justice for Defence Personnel and Tribals’.

EOCONOMY

• India’s share in US smartphone imports surged from 11% in 2024 to 36% in Jan–May 2025, driven largely by Apple’s iPhone production under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. China’s share fell from 82% to 49%, reflecting a major shift in global supply chains. The PLI scheme, launched in 2020, offers 4–6% incentives and has attracted over $1 billion in disbursements. While challenges like low value addition persist, India’s role in electronics manufacturing continues to grow.

SCIENCE

• Indian Railways successfully tested its first hydrogen-powered coach at Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, under a Northern Railway project aimed at reducing GHG emissions and promoting clean fuel. The ₹136 crore project includes converting diesel cars to hydrogen-powered ones and establishing a hydrogen fuelling station in Jind, Haryana. The train will run between Jind–Sonepat, with safety systems in place. The initiative aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, targeting energy independence by 2047 and net zero by 2070.
• NASA has launched the twin-satellite TRACERS mission to study magnetic reconnection and its effects on near-Earth space. Operating in low Earth orbit through polar cusps—funnel-like gaps in Earth’s magnetic field—it will investigate over 3,000 magnetic reconnection events caused by solar wind interactions with the magnetosphere. This mission aims to improve space weather forecasting, safeguard satellites, GPS systems, and astronauts, and deepen understanding of solar-terrestrial interactions and atmospheric physics.

INTERNATIONAL

• India-Maldives ties are witnessing a revival with PM Modi announcing a ₹4,850 crore line of credit and launching FTA talks. Key agreements span trade, defence, tourism, and infrastructure, including housing units and defence vehicles. Strategic cooperation has deepened under the SAGAR and MAHASAGAR doctrines despite political tensions under the “India-Out” campaign. Maldives’ proximity to India and position in the Indian Ocean makes it critical for maritime security, regional balance, and countering China’s growing influence.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Divya Deshmukh, 19, made history by winning the FIDE Women’s World Chess Cup in Batumi, Georgia. In an all-Indian final, she defeated Koneru Humpy 2.5-1.5 in a tie-break Rapid game, becoming the first Indian woman to lift the World Cup. Her victory secured a direct Grandmaster (GM) title (India’s 88th GM, 4th woman GM) and qualification for next year’s Candidates tournament. Starting as the 15th seed, Divya displayed remarkable strength and composure, significantly boosting women’s chess in India.
• GM Pa. Iniyan won the playoff match versus Polish GM Malek Jan to emerge the champion of the second Dole Trophy Masters chess tournament at Aix-En-Provence in France
• The Indian Army conducted high-tech Exercise Drone Prahar in Arunachal Pradesh to validate drone integration into tactical battlefield operations. It demonstrated effective use of drones for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and real-time sensor-to-shooter coordination. Aiming to enhance command reach and situational awareness, the drill also evaluated critical aspects like airspace deconfliction and secure communication for seamless drone integration in battle scenarios. This boosts dynamic decision-making for tactical commanders