KARNATAKA

• The Karnataka State Education Policy (SEP) Commission, led by Prof. Sukhadeo Thorat, proposes replacing NEP 2020’s three-language formula with a two-language policy—Kannada/mother tongue till Class 5 (preferably Class 12) and English as the second language. Key reforms include a 2+8+4 structure, fee regulation, extended RTE (ages 4–18), constitutional value education, 30% budget allocation to education, universal secondary education, focus on girls’ education, teacher quality improvements, local curriculum integration, and regulatory oversight of private institutions.
• The Karnataka government has proposed amending lake buffer zone norms by linking buffer distance to waterbody size, replacing the uniform 30-metre limit set in 2008. Proposed distances range from 3 metres for lakes under 1 acre to 30 metres for those above 100 acres. The draft also allows certain public infrastructure within buffers. Officials claim it is a scientific, size-sensitive approach, while activists warn it may spur encroachment, pollution, and biodiversity loss without adequate public consultation.

SCHEMES

• The Prime Minister E-Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme, launched on September 29, 2024, aims to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in India. Extended from March 31, 2026, to March 31, 2028, with ₹10,900 crore funding, it focuses on EV usage, charging infrastructure, and domestic manufacturing. Eligible vehicles include e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-buses, e-trucks, and e-ambulances, with benefits limited to advanced-battery models. It applies to both commercial and certain private vehicles to boost sustainable mobility.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the Central Sector MERITE (Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education) Scheme with a ₹4,200 crore outlay (₹2,100 crore each from the World Bank and the Centre) for 2025–26 to 2029–30, targeting 275 technical institutions like NITs, state engineering colleges, and polytechnics. It aims to enhance quality, equity, and governance in technical education by introducing multidisciplinary courses, digital strategies, skill-oriented learning, and research hubs, benefiting around 7.5 lakh students nationwide.
• The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹30,000 crore relief package for three public sector oil companies to compensate for losses from selling LPG at subsidized prices. Citing global energy volatility and high import costs, this aid will be paid in 12 tranches to Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum. Additionally, the Cabinet extended the ₹300 subsidy per cylinder for Ujjwala scheme beneficiaries for the 2025-26 fiscal year, costing an extra ₹12,060 crore and supporting over 10 crore households.

SOCIAL ISSUES

• In the first half of 2025, India recorded 67,933 accidents and 29,018 deaths on national highways, exceeding 50% of 2024’s total NH fatalities (53,090). Though NHs form only 2% of roads, they account for over 30% of accident deaths. Key causes include road engineering flaws, speeding, poor enforcement, and low safety feature adoption. Government measures range from signage to junction redesigns, aiming to meet the UN goal of halving road deaths by 2030, as pledged under the Brasilia Declaration.
• A Lancet Global Health study (2019 data, released Aug 2025) found that 1 in 5 Indians aged 45+ has diabetes, with 40% undiagnosed, indicating a major health crisis. Based on LASI data from ~60,000 adults, it showed similar prevalence in men (19.6%) and women (20.1%), higher urban rates (30%) than rural (15%), and top prevalence in Chandigarh, Kerala, and Puducherry. Causes include insufficient insulin or resistance, with rising Type 2 cases in obese adolescents and Type 5 in malnourished youth.
• Recently, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development inaugurated the second edition of UN Women’s flagship capacity-building programme — SheLeads II in New Delhi + About SheLeads: Launched by UN Women India, it aims to advance gender equality in public and political leadership by supporting women leaders for upcoming elections. It equips them with skills, platforms, and networks to influence policy and governance + About UN Women: Established in 2010, it promotes gender equality, supports policy formulation, and aids member states in implementing global standards.

 MISCELLANEOUS

• The Koli community in Mumbai celebrated Narali Purnima, a significant festival marking the beginning of the fishing season
• World Tribal Day 2025 – Observed annually on August 9, it promotes the rights and heritage of indigenous peoples. This year’s theme is “Indigenous Peoples and Artificial Intelligence – Defending Rights, Shaping the Future.” Originating from the 1982 UN Working Group meeting in Geneva and formalised by the UNGA in 1994, it highlights the struggles of the world’s 6% indigenous population, often marginalised despite rich cultural diversity. It urges global action to safeguard their rights and future.