KARNATAKA

• Karnataka’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has significantly dropped from 34.9 (2010–12) to 17.3 (2020–22), and further to 15 in 2022, showing steady improvement across urban and rural areas. This decline is attributed to better healthcare management, expanded vaccination, improved neonatal infrastructure, and strategies like Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), institutional deliveries, and newborn resuscitation training. Despite progress, neonatal mortality remains a concern (NMR at 12 in 2022), with challenges like regional disparities, underutilisation of funds, and the need for timely antenatal care. Strengthening Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) and access in Tier 2 & 3 cities continues to be vital.
• On June 4, 2025, a tragic stampede at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium resulted in 11 deaths due to overcrowding and lack of police oversight. In response, the Karnataka government drafted the Karnataka Crowd Control Bill, mandating police permission for all mass events, with power to modify or cancel plans. It exempts traditional religious gatherings and penalizes organizers who cause harm or disorder. Offences under the Bill are non-bailable and tried by a First-Class Magistrate, with penalties up to 3 years in jail and ₹5 lakh fines. The Bill aims to enforce safe public gatherings and was recently placed before the Cabinet.
• The State-run C. V. Raman General Hospital in Bengaluru has tied up with One Billion Lives Foundation (OBLF), an NGO, to provide geriatric and palliative care services for needy patients close to their houses.
• The Suraksha Project, led by NIMHANS and partners, expanded community training in Bengaluru South to prevent suicides. The initiative trains police, teachers, anganwadi workers, and frontline staff to recognize warning signs, provide support, and connect individuals with mental health services. Following the successful training of over 700 police personnel, anganwadi workers began their sessions at the district headquarters. Experts highlight the importance of community involvement, with anganwadi workers being trusted community members capable of early intervention.

POLITY

• In June 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched a streamlined EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card) delivery system amid concerns over delays and alleged manipulation. The new system introduces a 15-day Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for voter ID issuance, covering new enrolments and updates. It integrates the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and Department of Posts (DoP) via ECINet, enabling real-time tracking, SMS alerts, and end-to-end automation. This reform, aligned with Digital India goals, ensures efficient, transparent, and secure delivery, especially aiding migrants and first-time voters. With over 95 crore registered voters, the EC aims to uphold electoral integrity and boost public trust.

ECONOMY

• India is aiming to bring start-ups back from foreign jurisdictions through regulatory easing and improved access to domestic capital markets. SEBI’s June 2025 reforms support “reverse flipping,” where foreign-registered Indian start-ups return to list on Indian exchanges, driven by India’s stable economy, growing consumer base, and strong investor confidence. Flipping refers to shifting ownership/IP abroad for valuation and funding benefits, while reverse flipping uses mechanisms like inbound mergers or share swaps to return. Key reforms include eased IPO norms, investor-friendly KYC processes, simplified disclosure for portfolio managers, and relaxed rules for PSUs, REITs, and capital market intermediaries, strengthening India’s startup ecosystem.

ENVIRONMENT

• The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) released a report titled ‘How Extreme Heat is Impacting India’, highlighting the growing district-level heat risks due to climate change. Unlike heatwaves or heat stress, heat risk encompasses illness or death likelihood based on heat intensity, exposure, and community vulnerability. Using a Heat Risk Index (HRI) across 734 districts and 35 indicators, the report reveals expanding high-risk zones beyond traditional areas. As 2024 was the hottest year globally, urgent policy actions like district-wise heat plans, urban climate adaptation, and early warning systems are needed to protect vulnerable populations.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Sahitya Akademi, India’s premier literary body, annually confers the Bal Sahitya Puraskar and Yuva Puraskar to honor exceptional works in Indian languages. The Bal Sahitya Puraskar recognizes imaginative children’s literature rooted in Indian ethos, offering ₹50,000, a copper plaque, a citation, and a shawl across 24 languages. The Yuva Puraskar, for writers under 35, promotes socially relevant themes in 23 languages with similar rewards. In 2025, 24 authors received the Bal award, including K. Shivalingappa Handihal (Kannada), while 23 young writers were awarded the Yuva Puraskar, like R. Dileep Kumar and K. Jayaprakash Hegde for their Kannada literary contributions.
• India ranked 71st out of 118 countries in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2025, slipping 8 places from 2024. Developed by WEF and Accenture, ETI evaluates countries based on energy security, sustainability, and equity, along with readiness factors like infrastructure and finance. India scored 53.3 overall, excelling in renewable energy (42% share), energy access, and reduced emissions. It ranks as the 4th largest renewables market and has seen significant clean energy investments. However, challenges like coal reliance, grid limitations, and import dependence persist. Despite this, India and China showed the most improvement among large economies.