KARNATAKA ISSUES

• Karnataka’s Health Department has revamped the Shravana Sanjeevini programme to enhance early detection and treatment of hearing impairments in children. Launched through a government order on June 12, the ₹12 crore initiative now includes structured cochlear implantation, surgery, post-operative care, auditory-verbal therapy, and maintenance support. It targets children, with age-specific implantation guidelines and partial government funding via Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST). The revised scheme offers free maintenance during the warranty and a 50% subsidy on processor replacement. By integrating early intervention, therapy, and affordability, the programme ensures inclusive healthcare and long-term developmental outcomes for hearing-impaired children.
• Karnataka led India in wind energy additions for FY 2024–25 by installing 1,331.48 MW, bringing its total capacity to 7,351 MW—comparable to Sweden and Australia. This achievement was recognized during Global Wind Day 2025 in Bengaluru under the theme “Pawan-Urja: Powering the Future of India,” with Karnataka Energy Minister KJ George receiving the award. Wind energy, a clean and sustainable power source, faces challenges like intermittency and land use. Karnataka’s Renewable Energy Policy 2022–2027 aims to repower old turbines, promote digitalisation, and align with India’s 500 GW renewable target by 2030, including 100 GW from wind energy.

SCHEMES

• To address the shortcomings of traditional PIN codes, especially in rural and informal areas, the Government of India launched DIGIPIN in 2025 under the Department of Posts. Developed in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and ISRO’s NRSC, DIGIPIN is a 10-character alphanumeric code representing a 4×4 meter grid across India, covering all terrains. It offers a geo-coded, privacy-respecting, open-source digital address system linked to geographic coordinates, not personal information. While complementing existing PIN codes, DIGIPIN improves e-commerce logistics, emergency services, and government delivery by providing precise, digital location identifiers, boosting inclusion, planning, and smart governance.
• The Indian government approved procurement of 54,166 MT of Moong and 50,750 MT of Groundnut under the Price Support Scheme (PSS) for Summer 2025–26 in Haryana, UP, and Gujarat. Additionally, procurement in Andhra Pradesh was extended by 15 days until June 26, 2025. The government also authorized procurement of pulses like Tur, Urad, and Masur up to 100% of state production for 2024–25, with plans to continue this till 2028–29 to promote self-sufficiency. These measures aim to support farmers, stabilize prices, and boost domestic pulse production under schemes like PM-AASHA.

SOCIAL ISSUES

• Kerala’s Green Army, composed of over 35,000 women primarily with basic education, has been instrumental in achieving near-total waste-free status in the state. Through the Haritha Karma Sena (HKS), these women earn an average of Rs 10,000 monthly by collecting, segregating, and scientifically managing waste from over 85 lakh households. Since its launch in 2017, HKS has generated Rs 350 crore by processing over 61,500 tonnes of waste, transforming trash into valuable resources. Their efforts, part of the Haritha Kerala Mission, have not only improved environmental health but also empowered women, with some earning up to Rs 30,000, showcasing Kerala’s successful model of community-driven waste management.

SCIENCE

• The Rudrastra VTOL combat drone, developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd., is India’s latest indigenous unmanned system designed for modern asymmetric warfare. In the wake of Operation Sindoor (May 2025), its hybrid VTOL design offers runway-independent operations with vertical lift and fixed-wing cruise capabilities. With a mission radius of 50+ km, 90-minute endurance, autonomous navigation, and precision airburst warheads, it is suited for tactical, deep-strike, and urban missions. Successfully tested at Pokhran, Rudrastra is poised for Army induction, reflecting India’s push for defence self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
• The Delhi government plans to develop India’s first integrated E-Waste Eco Park at Holambi Kalan, covering 11.4 acres. Built under a PPP model by DSIIDC, it will process up to 51,000 metric tonnes of e-waste annually. The facility will include zones for dismantling, refurbishing, component testing, plastic recovery, and second-hand electronics markets. It aims to create over 1,000 green jobs and training centers for informal recyclers. The project will manage nearly 25% of Delhi’s e-waste, reduce landfill dependency, and promote sustainable resource recovery, setting a national benchmark for smart waste management.
• Recent research suggests that statins could reduce the death rate by nearly 40% in critically ill sepsis patients. Statins are medications primarily used to lower cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver, reducing LDL or “bad” cholesterol. They help prevent plaque buildup in arteries, decreasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, statins have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and antithrombotic properties, which may help mitigate excessive inflammation in sepsis. While they offer many cardiovascular benefits, statins can interact with other drugs and cause side effects like muscle damage. Their potential role in improving outcomes in sepsis is an exciting development in medical research.
• Recently, Krutrim launched India’s first agentic AI, Kruti, a sophisticated GenAI system that autonomously manages complex tasks, makes decisions, and solves problems using advanced reasoning. Kruti ingests data from multiple sources, enabling proactive, action-driven responses while integrating seamlessly with backend systems. It can book cabs, pay bills, generate images, and support 13 Indian languages, including voice and text inputs. With retentive memory, personalized interactions, and adaptive learning, Kruti enhances user experience across various applications. Its embeddable SDK allows developers to incorporate its capabilities easily, marking a significant breakthrough in India’s AI landscape.

MISCELLANEOUS

• A tragic aviation disaster occurred when Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 242 people aboard, crashed near BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, causing India’s worst air crash in a decade. The crash resulted in 24 ground casualties, with only one known survivor. The incident happened during the climb phase—a statistically high-risk period. The black box recovery is underway to aid investigation. The Dreamliner is a fuel-efficient, long-haul aircraft. International response involves the Montreal Convention on liability and national disaster protocols. Emergency teams faced intense fire, while identification of victims is ongoing through DNA analysis.
• The ICC World Test Championship (WTC), launched in 2019 to elevate the status of Test cricket, culminated in a thrilling 2025 final at Lord’s between Australia and South Africa. Despite past underperformance in ICC events, South Africa triumphed, chasing 282 and winning by 5 wickets. Aiden Markram starred with 136 after a first-innings duck, while Captain Temba Bavuma battled injury to contribute 66. Rabada and Jansen were pivotal with both bat and ball. The win, South Africa’s first ICC men’s title, was hailed as a historic “Springbok moment,” silencing critics and uniting fans worldwide with scenes reminiscent of a home victory.
• In June 2024, the CBI filed a chargesheet against eight individuals, including a French Embassy official in New Delhi and his family, for their role in a visa fraud racket involving Schengen visas from January 2021 to May 2022. In a significant development, India secured its first Interpol “Silver Notice” to trace proceeds of crime linked to the scam. Part of a 2023–2025 pilot project involving 52 countries, the Silver Notice aids in cross-border asset tracing and recovery. This marks a milestone in India’s fight against transnational crime, supporting its anti-corruption efforts under PMLA and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.
• On May 9, Lieutenant Commander Yashaswi Solankee (27) made history as the first woman officer appointed as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India. The President’s ADCs typically include five officers—three from the Army, one from the Navy, and one from the Air Force—with none previously women. The ADC acts as a vital liaison, managing her appointments, accompanying her at presidential ceremonies, and coordinating communication between the President and various government and military branches. Her appointment marks a significant milestone in gender equality and reflects increasing opportunities for women in prestigious military and diplomatic roles.
• The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), established in 1944 through the Chicago Convention, is a UN specialized agency promoting safe and orderly international civil aviation. It became fully operational in 1947, with Montreal as its headquarters since 1946. The Montreal Convention of 1999, under ICAO’s guidance, unifies rules for international carriage by air, protecting passengers, baggage, and cargo. India joined in 2009, implementing its provisions via the Carriage by Air (Amendment) Act. The convention ensures airline liability limits, fair compensation, and strict penalties for negligence, replacing earlier international agreements and enhancing safety and accountability in global air travel.
• Recently, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) chaired the 137th Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) meeting in New Delhi. Established in 1978, the OSCC ensures offshore security by formulating policies, providing guidance, and addressing threats like terrorism and sabotage to offshore installations. It develops contingency plans for agencies to maintain offshore safety, especially amid the sector’s rapid growth in oil and gas exploration. The ICG, an armed force under the Ministry of Defence, was created to protect India’s maritime interests within its territorial waters, including the exclusive economic zone. Led by the Director General, the ICG’s responsibilities have expanded to address increased security challenges around oil platforms and fishing activities.
• Gyan Post Service, launched by the Department of Posts on May 1, 2025, is a dedicated postal service aimed at delivering affordable educational, cultural, social, and religious books across India, including remote areas. It supports the New Education Policy by making printed educational materials accessible and affordable. Available at all departmental post offices, it offers traceable surface mail for non-commercial educational content only, with rates starting at ₹20 for up to 300 grams and up to ₹100 for 5 kg packets. The service ensures transparency with tracking facilities, accepting only books without ads, bearing publisher details, and promoting the dissemination of educational resources nationwide.