KARNATAKA

• A CSTEP report titled “Namma SAFARI: Low-Carbon Development Pathways for Karnataka” projects that Karnataka’s GHG emissions may exceed 400 million tonnes by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario. The state’s population may cross 75 million, and its GSDP may touch ₹128 lakh crore. However, targeted interventions across six sectors—energy, transport, industry, buildings, agriculture, and land use—could reduce emissions to ~50 MT. Key solutions include green construction, off-grid solar irrigation, EV adoption, and freight shift to rail.
• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has granted in-principle approval to the 2,000 MW Sharavati Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Western Ghats. The project will impact the Sharavati Valley Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary, home to around 700 endangered macaques. It involves 142.75 ha of land and underground construction linking two dams. Though ~15,000 trees may be felled, redesigns could save 12,000. NBWL imposed 24 strict conditions, including restrictions on labour camps, timing, and environmental safeguards.

POLITY

• The stringent Maharashtra Special Public Security Bill, which seeks “to provide for effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of Left Wing Extremist organizations or similar organizations and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”, was passed by the state Assembly Thursday via a voice vote amid Opposition concern over the definition and interpretation of some of the terms and clauses in the Bill.
• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against 29 individuals for allegedly promoting illegal betting apps. An ECIR is ED’s formal complaint entry for money laundering offenses, initiating proceedings like asset attachment and arrests. While a non-statutory internal document not legally required to be shared with the accused, it is crucial for ED’s actions under the PMLA, FEMA, and FEOA. The ED, an economic intelligence agency established in 1956 under the Ministry of Finance, enforces economic laws and combats financial crimes.

SCHEMES

• India has launched its first e-truck incentive scheme under PM Modi’s Green Transport Vision to cut freight emissions and boost Make in India. Part of the PM e-Drive initiative, the scheme offers up to ₹9.6 lakh per e-truck via a central portal. It targets N-2 and N-3 category trucks with mandatory warranties. With 5,600 trucks planned, Delhi gets ₹100 crore for 1,100. Major OEMs and sectors like steel and logistics are key participants, promoting sustainability and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• The TALASH (Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self-Esteem Hub) initiative, launched by NESTS under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in partnership with UNICEF India, is a first-of-its-kind national program for tribal students. It aims to empower over 1.38 lakh EMRS students across 28 States and 8 UTs by enhancing academic, emotional, and career growth. Through digital tools, psychometric tests, career counselling, life skills training, and teacher support, TALASH promotes self-discovery, informed career choices, and holistic development.

SCIENCE

• Google has launched new AI-powered innovations to enhance Indian agriculture through data-driven insights and resilience. A key highlight is the AMED (Agricultural Monitoring and Event Detection) API, which provides field-level crop data, detects events, and offers three years of historical data. Updated biweekly, it aims to improve crop management and climate adaptation. Google also collaborates with IIT Kharagpur via the Amplify Initiative to train global AI models with India-specific linguistic data, benefiting sectors like healthcare and safety.
• India successfully conducted two consecutive tests of the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile from Su-30MKI fighter jets off Odisha’s coast. Equipped with a radio-frequency seeker for high accuracy, Astra successfully hit high-speed aerial targets under diverse conditions. Developed by DRDO and tested with the IAF, it confirmed reliable performance and subsystem validation. With a range of over 100 km, Astra strengthens IAF’s capability to engage threats without breaching hostile airspace, becoming a key weapon for current and future fighter platforms.

MISCELLANEOUS

• On 7 July 2025, UNESCO inscribed the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ as India’s 44th World Heritage Site during the 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris. It includes 12 forts (11 in Maharashtra, 1 in Tamil Nadu) built between the 17th–19th centuries, showcasing Maratha military ingenuity and strategic geography. Protected by ASI and Maharashtra Government, these forts reflect the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji, meeting UNESCO’s cultural criteria (iii, iv, vi) for historical and architectural significance.
• Suraj (60kg) won a gold medal, while Prince (82kg) and Naman (97kg) bagged a bronze apiece in Greco Roman competitions at the Asian under-20 wrestling championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• India is set to become a global shooting hub, with the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) awarding it the 2027 World Cup and 2028 World Junior Championship. This follows India hosting the Junior World Cup (September this year) and the Asian Championship (February next year). Additionally, the inaugural Shooting League of India will debut in Delhi this November. These events offer crucial exposure for Indian shooters, boosting their preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics, as stated by NRAI.
• Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan’s tenure has been extended till August 22, 2026
• India will host the “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage” conference from September 11-13, bringing together global scholars to celebrate India’s manuscript heritage and knowledge legacy, as part of the “Gyan Bharatam Mission” launch.