Drug-Free Karnataka Drive
CM Siddaramaiah called for a drug-free state, noting a drop in cases from 6,723 (2024) to 4,188 (2025).
Key Measures Taken:
- Ministerial Task Force formed under Home Minister G. Parameshwara.
- Strict laws proposed:
- Drug peddling to be non-bailable
- 10 years to life imprisonment
- Fast-track courts, more rehab centers
- Police accountability enforced
- Legal Reforms:
- Cancel licenses of shops aiding drug abuse
- Tougher penalties for storing/distributing banned drugs
- Enforcement Actions:
- 488 medical shops inspected
- 231 licenses suspended, 3 cancelled
₹17 lakh worth of substandard drugs recalled
BBMP Launches Doorstep e-Khata via Janasevaka
Context:
Bengaluru residents can now get e-Khata at home by booking a Janasevaka for just ₹160.
Key Highlights:
- Govt staff visits home to assist with e-Khata application.
- Helps senior citizens and digitally unaware users.
- 5 lakh e-Khatas issued; city has 20+ lakh properties.
About Janasevaka:
- Doorstep delivery of govt services.
- Saves time, travel, and removes middlemen.
- Especially helpful for the elderly and disabled.
Other E-Governance Initiatives in Karnataka:
- Bhoomi: Digital land records
- Khajane-II: Online treasury system
- Seva Sindhu: One-stop citizen services
- Mobile-One: Access to services via mobile
- e-Swathu: Urban property records
- KSWAN: Govt office network connectivity
- e-Procurement: Transparent tenders
- Nemmadi Centers: Rural digital service delivery
- FRUITS: Centralized farmer database
- e-Office: Digital office file movement
- MoU with NPCI: Aadhaar-enabled services
Digital Marks Cards: SSLC/PUC certificate digitization
RCB Wins IPL Trophy After 18-Year Wait!
Context:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first-ever IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 final at Ahmedabad.
Match Highlights:
- RCB: 190/9
- Winner: RCB
- Runner-up: Punjab Kings
- Player of the Final: Krunal Pandya
- RCB Captain (final): Rajat Patidar
- Prize Money: ₹20 crore
IPL 2025 Awards:
- Orange Cap: Sai Sudarshan
- Purple Cap: Prasidh Krishna
- Striker of the Final: Jitesh Sharma
- Dot Balls King: Mohammed Siraj
- Most Sixes: Nicholas Pooran
- Emerging Player: Sai Sudarshan
- MVP: Suryakumar Yadav
- Best Catch: Kamindu Mendis
- Fair Play Award: Chennai Super Kings
Best Ground: Delhi (DDCA)
India’s 1st Solar-Powered EV Charging Station at KIA, Bengaluru
Context:
K J George inaugurated India’s first solar-powered EV charging station with second-life battery tech near Kempegowda International Airport, developed by BESCOM & GIZ.
Key Features:
- Uses refurbished batteries to reduce e-waste
- Charges 8 EVs (Phase 1), total capacity for 23
- Mixed power: 60% direct, 30% solar
- Solar energy stored for night use
- Each unit has 10 recycled batteries (life: 5–6 years)
- Karnataka: 5,880 EV stations (4,462 in Bengaluru)
Clean Mobility Policy 2025–2030:
- ₹500 billion investment to become a clean mobility hub
- 2,600 new EV stations (incl. fast-charging, battery swap)
- Tax & fee exemptions for EVs
- Capex subsidies: Up to 25% (20% for Bengaluru region)
- Mobility clusters in Gauribidanur, Dharwad, Harohalli
- EV training in ITIs & colleges
- 14,750 electric buses, incl. 9,000 for BMTC
Financial aid for unemployed from backward classes to buy EVs
Karnataka FDI Inflows – FY 2024–25
Context:
As per DPIIT, Maharashtra and Karnataka together contributed 51% of India’s total FDI inflows in FY 2024–25.
Key Highlights:
- Maharashtra: USD 19.6 billion (31%) – Highest
- Karnataka: USD 6.62 billion – 2nd highest
- Combined: USD 26.22 billion out of USD 81.04 billion total FDI
- Other top states:
- Delhi: USD 6B
- Gujarat: USD 5.71B
- Tamil Nadu: USD 3.68B
- Haryana: USD 3.14B
- Telangana: USD 3B
About FDI (Foreign Direct Investment):
- Definition: Long-term investment by foreign entities in Indian companies (≥10% in listed companies).
- Routes:
- Automatic Route: No approval needed
- Route: Prior approval required
- Governance:
- FDI Policy 2020, FEMA Rules (2019)
- DPIIT – Policy; RBI – Regulation
- FDI vs. FPI:
- FDI = Long-term, control, illiquid, less volatile
FPI = Short-term, passive, highly liquid, volatile
