KARNATAKA ISSUES

• Sustainable development, guided by the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aims to harmonize environmental, economic, and social needs for present and future generations. India, a committed signatory, is aligning its development with sustainability principles, especially in urban centers like Bengaluru, which face intense ecological challenges. The 2025 Sustainable Development Report, released by O.P. Jindal Global University and launched by Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, highlights the need for collaborative action among government, academia, and civil society. It underscores the role of public awareness, behavioral change, and educational institutions in driving sustainability through climate action, resource conservation, and inclusive growth.
• The horticulture department has launched a pioneering initiative by introducing eco-friendly electric vehicles to explore the 240-acre garden. Provided by Fetch Mobility, these vehicles will be available on a three-month trial, with feedback guiding their future. Inspired by practices in countries like the Netherlands and Germany, the aim is to offer a sustainable, accessible transportation option within the garden. As part of World Environment Day celebrations, saplings from 110 species will be planted along the boundary wall, and QR codes will be added to 50 plant species for educational purposes.
• BESCOM is considering reserving land to boost EV charging infrastructure and encourage private participation in Karnataka. Currently, the state has 5,200 charging stations, the highest in India, but most are slow chargers. BESCOM manages around 200 stations. Private players, like Bolt.Earth, operate around 4,000. Experts highlight that vehicle numbers, especially for four-wheelers, are too low to sustain infrastructure growth. Two- and three-wheelers dominate the market, yet lag in fast-charging access. Infrastructure challenges, particularly grid capacity, remain significant. Policy support varies, with Delhi leading, but Karnataka shows promise for future EV adoption

SCHEMES

• The National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), launched in 2018 and running till 2025, is a centrally sponsored initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to combat rising substance abuse in India. Positioned between the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle, India faces high drug trafficking risks. NAPDDR adopts a multi-pronged strategy—prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation—focusing on awareness, social reintegration, human resource development, and data-driven policy. It involves multi-agency implementation with financial support to state governments, NGOs, and hospitals. Currently, 291 underserved districts have been identified for new District De-Addiction Centres, emphasizing community-based care and Whole Person Recovery.
• The Union Government has launched the ‘Clean Plant Programme’ for grapes, oranges, and pomegranates from Maharashtra. This initiative aims to provide disease-free, high-quality planting material for horticultural crops, improving productivity and reducing crop losses. The programme includes establishing nine Clean Plant Centers (CPCs) for disease diagnostics and quarantine, developing large-scale nurseries for multiplying healthy plants, and creating a regulatory framework for certification and traceability. It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare through the National Horticulture Board and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, ensuring farmers have access to reliable, certified planting material.

ENVIRONMENT

• The Aravalli Green Wall Initiative is a central government-led project launched on June 5, 2025, by PM Narendra Modi to restore the ecologically degraded Aravalli mountain range spanning Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. This ancient range is vital for preventing desertification, supporting biodiversity, and regulating climate. The initiative focuses on afforestation, reforestation, and the use of native plant species across 1,000 nurseries in 29 districts. It emphasizes landscape-level planning with satellite tools and local community involvement. With Rajasthan accounting for 81% of degraded land, the project aims to combat desertification, reduce air pollution, and boost biodiversity and climate resilience.
• Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur, both in Rajasthan, have been added to the prestigious list of Ramsar Sites. With this addition, India now has a total of 91 Ramsar Sites.
• Maharashtra’s most ambitious road infrastructure project, the 701-km-long Samruddhi Mahamarg, will become fully operational after the final 76-km stretch from Igatpuri in Nashik to Amane in Thane is inaugurated.

SCIENCE

• Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) is a pollution control technology that removes sulphur dioxide (SO₂) from the flue gases emitted by coal-fired thermal power plants. It typically uses absorbents like lime, limestone slurry, or ammonia to scrub SO₂ from exhaust gases. A high-powered expert committee in India, led by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Sood, has recently recommended ending the decade-old mandate requiring FGD installation in all thermal power plants. This shift is driven by high installation costs, delays, and India’s usage of low-sulphur coal, along with an increasing focus on flexible emission norms, renewable energy, and cost-effective low-emission technologies.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

• India has solidified its growing global influence in public administration by securing the Presidency of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) for the 2025–2028 term. This prestigious win elevates India’s leadership in global governance platforms, reflecting its advancements in administrative innovations like Digital India and e-Governance. The IIAS, a Brussels-based international federation founded in 1930, fosters global collaboration in public administration. With 31 member countries, it facilitates knowledge exchange and partners with bodies like the UN. India, a member since 1998, was represented by V. Srinivas of DARPG, whose candidacy led to victory over Austria in the final election round.
• For the first time, MSC Irina, the lead vessel of the MSC Irina-class, is approaching a South Asian port. Built in 2023 and flying the Liberian flag, it is the world’s largest container ship, operated by MSC. Measuring 399.9 meters in length and 61.3 meters wide, it can carry over 24,300 TEUs stacked up to 22 decks. The Irina-class surpasses previous records, showcasing advanced eco-friendly technologies like air lubrication, energy-efficient propellers, and innovative hull design. This pioneering vessel exemplifies MSC’s commitment to green shipping and represents a significant milestone in maritime logistics.
• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrated its 50th anniversary recently. Established by the Lagos Treaty on May 28, 1975, in Nigeria, ECOWAS aims to promote regional cooperation, economic integration, and stability among West African nations. Its objectives include creating a common currency, fostering trade, and enhancing social development. Member countries include Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and others. Notably, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew in January 2025. ECOWAS also works to resolve conflicts through peacekeeping missions like ECOMOG, led by Nigeria. Its headquarters is in Abuja, Nigeria.

MISCELLANEOUS

• The Central Government launched UMEED Portal, a centralized digital platform for registering Waqf properties nationwide. This initiative aims to improve management, transparency, and accountability under the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Respective State Waqf Boards will facilitate registrations, which must be completed within six months, including details like measurements and geotagged locations. Properties registered in women’s names will be excluded from Waqf classification, ensuring compliance. Unregistered properties beyond the deadline may face disputes and referral to the Waqf Tribunal. The portal marks a significant step towards modernizing Waqf asset management.
• Capgemini’s World Wealth Report 2025 highlights India’s rapid economic growth, which is fostering wealth creation and prompting High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs)—those with over $1 million in liquid assets—to increasingly invest in offshore assets for better diversification, financial stability, and tax benefits. With 98% of next-gen Indian HNWIs planning to increase offshore investments by over 10% by 2030, the report reveals motivations such as advanced wealth management services and improved market access abroad. India added 20,000 millionaires in 2024, reaching 3,33,340 HNWIs. This trend signifies growing financial maturity, while raising concerns around capital flight and domestic wealth management reforms.