KARNATAKA ISSUES

• Karnataka’s Ayush Shetty, who won the prestigious U.S. Open title at Council Bluffs, Iowa. He is the first Indian to win a men’s singles title since Lakshya Sen’s victory at the 2023 Canada Open

ECONOMY

• India continues to be a key global growth driver, supported by robust domestic fundamentals and sound macroeconomic policies. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted strong financial systems, low NPAs, and adequate capital buffers. Stress tests show that banks and NBFCs are resilient. Inflation is stable and market volatility is low. However, risks like geopolitical tensions, trade slowdowns, and capital outflows persist. The RBI’s biannual FSR report flags rising global public debt as a concern.

ENVIRONMENT

• Tripura is set to globally promote its GI-tagged Queen variety pineapples, following successful exports to Dubai and the Netherlands. Declared the state fruit in 2018, these pineapples are golden-yellow with a distinct aroma and juicy texture. GI-tagged in 2023, they thrive in the state’s hilly, humid climate with minimal chemical use. Tripura produces around 1.74 lakh metric tonnes annually, with 10,000 metric tonnes fit for quality export, supported by the Union Ministry of DONER.
• In 2024, India enriched its biodiversity by adding 683 fauna species—459 newly discovered and 224 newly recorded—and 433 plant taxa, including 410 species and 23 infra-specific taxa. Kerala led faunal discoveries (101), followed by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, while Arunachal, Meghalaya, and West Bengal stood out in the northeast. Floral discoveries peaked in Kerala, Maharashtra, and Uttarakhand. Highlights include Dravidoseps gouensis, Anguiculus dicaprioi, and rare orchids like Coelogyne tripurensis and Gastrodia indica.

TECH

• The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, designed by the Sompura family and revised in 2020, is the world’s first temple to incorporate titanium in its construction. Chosen for its 1,000+ year lifespan, titanium is corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and low-maintenance, making it ideal for long-lasting structures. The temple, built in the Māru-Gurjara style, spans 70 acres and includes shrines, a museum, and more—engineered with precision by L&T and leading Indian institutes.
• On June 29, 2025, Japan launched the GOSAT-GW climate satellite aboard its final H-2A rocket from Tanegashima Space Centre. Active since 2001 with a 98% success rate, the H-2A is succeeded by the H3 rocket, offering greater payload at lower cost. GOSAT-GW will track carbon, methane, and the water cycle globally. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, operator since 2007, highlighted H-2A’s legacy in missions like Hayabusa2 and the SLIM moon lander.
• IISc researchers have created a new luminescent sensor utilizing terbium, a rare earth metal, to detect beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme linked to liver cancer. This paper-based assay, activated by UV light, offers a simple, cost-effective detection method by emitting a strong green glow in the enzyme’s presence. Its ease of analysis makes it suitable for resource-limited settings, potentially aiding early diagnosis.
• Following Operation Sindoor, India is fast-tracking 52 dedicated surveillance satellites to enhance round-the-clock monitoring of its borders and coastline. A $3.2 billion Cabinet approval funds the SBS(satellite-based surveillance)-III program, with ISRO launching 21 satellites and private companies the remaining 31. These AI-powered satellites, expected by 2026, will boost self-reliance and provide precise intelligence for the Pakistan and China borders, and the Indian Ocean Region.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

• The Quad nations (India, Japan, US, Australia) have launched their first “Quad-at-Sea” observer mission. Following a September 2024 Quad summit (in Wilmington) decision, two officers, including women, from each country are aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton en route to Guam. This initiative enhances maritime coordination, interoperability, and supports the Quad’s (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, established in 2007 and revitalized in 2017) focus on Indo-Pacific security, countering China’s influence, and promoting democratic values.