Author: instakas

  • Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025 | High-powered committee formed to review functioning of prisons in State

    Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025

    News –

    • The Karnataka Domestic Workers’ Rights Union has urged the State government to strengthen the proposed Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025,

    The Domestic Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025

    • Aim – It is aimed at formalizing the domestic work sector and providing social security and welfare benefits to an estimated 15 lakh (1.5 million) domestic workers.

    Key Provisions of the Draft Bill

    • Mandatory Registration: Both domestic workers and their employers (including households, agencies, and digital platforms) are required to register on a government portal.
    • Written Employment Agreements: Employers must provide a written contract specifying wages, working hours, benefits, and conditions of work. Unregistered employment is considered illegal.
    • Minimum Wages and Working Hours: Workers are entitled to a minimum wage, with a cap of 48 working hours per week, overtime pay, rest periods, and weekly holidays.
    • Social Security and Welfare Board: The bill provides for the creation of a Karnataka State Domestic Workers Social Security and Welfare Board to manage a dedicated fund. This fund would provide benefits such as health insurance, maternity/paternity benefits, pension, accident compensation, and education support for children.
    • Penalties: Non-compliance can result in fines and imprisonment for employers or agencies. Severe offenses like child labor or human trafficking carry stricter penalties (up to 7 years imprisonment and a ₹50,000 fine).
    • Grievance Redressal: District-level committees are proposed to resolve disputes between workers and employers.

    High-powered committee formed to review functioning of prisons in State

    News-

    • A high-powered committee has been constituted to review the functioning, administration, and security of prisons across Karnataka, following reports of illegal activities and preferential treatment at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.
    • A high-powered committee would be led by Additional Director-General of Police (Law and Order) Hitendra, with Inspector-General of Police Sandeep Patil, Superintendents of Police Amarnath Reddy and Rishyanth, as members.
  • 150 Years of Foundation of Arya Samaj | APEC Summit (2025) | Carbon Capture for Net-Zero India | Union Health Ministry sets 3 Guinness World Records

    150 Years of Foundation of Arya Samaj

    Syllabus: GS1/ Art & Culture

    In News

    • The Prime Minister addressed the International Arya Mahasammelan 2025 in New Delhi, praising Arya Samaj’s 150-year legacy in social reform, education, and Vedic thought.
    • PM Modi urged Arya Samaj to support the Gyan Bharatam Mission – digitising ancient manuscripts and engaging youth in preserving India’s knowledge heritage.

    Arya Samaj

    • Founded by – Swami Dayanand Saraswati
    • Established in – 1875 in Bombay, which was finalized in Lahore in 1877.​

    Major Reforms

    • Religious – Rejected idol worship, ritualism, and priestly dominance
    • Social – Opposed caste by birth, untouchability, child marriage, and forced widowhood. Advocated inter-caste marriage, widow remarriage, women’s education, and social service.​
    • Educational: Established DAV schools and Gurukul Kangri to blend Vedic knowledge with modern science, fostering social mobility and nationalism.

    Role in Indian Nationalism and Social Change

    • Arya Samaj members, including Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh, and others, contributed significantly to India’s freedom movement, promoting Swadeshi and social awakening.​

    Relevance of Arya Samaj in Contemporary India

    • Women Led Progress: Arya Samaj’s early advocacy for women’s empowerment aligns with national initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and “Drone Didis”.
    • Preserving Gurukul Tradition & Educational Reform: Arya Samaj revived India’s Gurukul system, blending Vedic learning with modern education.
    • Vedic Ideals & Global Relevance: The motto “Krinvanto Vishwam Aryam” mirrors India’s development philosophy — national progress for global welfare. Its ideals resonate in initiatives like Mission LiFE, One Sun One World One Grid, and International Yoga Day, spreading sustainable and spiritual living worldwide.

    APEC Summit (2025)

    Syllabus: GS2/International Relation; Global Grouping

    Context

    • Recently, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit (2025), held in Gyeongju, South Korea, concluded with the adoption of APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration (2025)

    APEC Summit (2025)

    • Adoption of Leaders’ Declaration (Gyeongju Declaration): APEC leaders endorsed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to:
    1. Free and open trade across the Asia-Pacific region;
    2. Strengthening supply chain resilience;
    3. Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth;
    4. Advancing digital transformation and climate action.

    Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

    • It is a regional economic forum established in 1989
    • Mandate – to strengthen the interdependence of economies across the Asia-Pacific region.
    • Member Economies (21 Members): Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore (APEC Secretariat & Headquarter); Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; and Viet Nam.

    Carbon Capture for Net-Zero India

    Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

    Context

    • Ocean-based carbon capture can help India reach net-zero by 2070, turning its seas into engines of carbon removal and blue growth.

    What is Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS)?

    • The International Energy Agency (IEA) defines CCUS as a group of technologies for capturing of CO2 from large and stationary CO2 emitting sources, such as fossil fuel based power plants and other industries.

    India’s Emission Reductions Commitments

    • India has launched the LiFE mission (Lifestyle for Environment) and updated its NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) under the Paris Agreement.

    Under its updated NDC 2022, India pledges:

    1. 45% reduction in emissions intensity (amount of CO₂ per unit of GDP) by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
    2. 50% of installed electricity capacity will come from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
    3. Creating a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (GtCO₂e) by increasing forests and tree cover.

    Union Health Ministry sets 3 Guinness World Records

    Syllabus: GS2/Health

    Context

    • The Union Health Ministry has achieved three Guinness World Record titles under the nationwide “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan” (SNSPA) campaign.

    The Records Achieved are:

    • Most people register for a health care platform in one month.
    • Most people sign up for a breast cancer screening online in one week.
    • Most people sign up for vital signs screening online in one week (at state level).

    Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan

    • Launched from – It was launched from 17th September to 2nd October 2025, in conjunction with Poshan Maah.
    • Objective -The campaign focuses on improving the health and nutrition of women, adolescent girls, and children.
  • Resource Mobilisation Committee (RMC) report | Krishi Mela 2025

    Resource Mobilisation Committee (RMC) report

    News –

    • The Resource Mobilisation Committee (RMC) of Karnataka submitted its report in November 2025 recommending comprehensive reforms to boost the state’s revenue.

    The Resource Mobilisation Committee (RMC) of Karnataka,

    • Formed in – August- 2024
    • Headed by – The committee headed by retired IAS officer K.P. Krishnan
    • Mandate – It is a government-appointed body recommending comprehensive reforms to boost the state’s revenue.

    Key recommendations

    • Increase and rationalize user charges: Rationalize and increase user charges for government services and utilities, transitioning to volumetric billing with automatic inflation indexation.
    • Tax reforms: Restructure the tax regime to broaden the tax base and reduce the state’s dependence on a few sources like commercial taxes and excise duties.
    • Modernize the excise system: Introduce auction-based digital licensing to enhance transparency and efficiency in the excise sector.
    • Asset monetization: Unlock the value of government assets through scientific valuation and leasing under public-private partnerships.
    • Strengthen asset management: Improve asset data management and conduct systematic surveys of government properties.
    • Create an economic policy wing: Establish a new wing within the finance department to monitor non-tax revenues and oversee asset monetization initiatives.
    • Urban land monetisation among steps to shore up revenues

    Krishi Mela 2025

    News –

    • Krishi Mela 2025 was conducted by the University of Agricultural Sciences-Bangalore from November 13 to 16 on the GKVK campus in Bengaluru.
    • 2025 theme ‘Prosperous Agriculture – Viksit Bharat: Soil, Water, and Crop’,
  • Tenth-century inscription dating to Ganga dynasty reign found on outskirts of Mysuru | Karnataka Startup Policy 2025-30

    Tenth-century inscription dating to Ganga dynasty reign found on outskirts of Mysuru

    News –

    • A 10th-century inscription from the Ganga dynasty reign has been found inside the ​Mahalingeshwara Temple at Nadanahalli on the outskirts of Mysuru.
    • It is a Kannada inscription dating back to the time of Butuga II, a ruler from the ganga dynasty in 948 A.D.
    • It is believed that during the reign of Butuga II, his bodyguard, Maremma, may have donated the garden to the temple tax-free and entrusted its management to the village chief Vijaketa Gavunda.

    Karnataka Startup Policy 2025-30

    News –

    • Cabinet approves policy to help set up 25,000 start-ups in five years

    Karnataka Startup Policy 2025-30

    • Policy aims to ensure that at least 10,000 of the targeted 25,000 start-ups are set up outside Bengaluru.

    Vision

    • To position the state as a global innovation hub, fostering a vibrant and supportive ecosystem for nurturing startups throughout their lifecycle.
    • To provide resources, mentorship, and infrastructure desired to drive sustainable growth and technological advancements.

     Mission

    • Through this policy Karnataka seeks to establish up to 25,000 additional startups, out of which up to 10,000 startups emerging from clusters Beyond Bengaluru. By expanding the entrepreneurial footprints, the initiative helps the state to enhance its role as a leading innovation hub.
    • Expand innovation hubs, incubation centers, and co-working spaces to support entrepreneurs across different regions.
    • Strengthen international collaborations, trade partnerships, and global networking opportunities for startups to expand their reach.
  • ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket Launches GSAT-7R | Lucknow Designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy | Nipah Virus | Russia’s ‘doomsday missile’ | Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025 | Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex

    ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket Launches GSAT-7R

    Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

    Context

    • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Indian Navy’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-7R (CMS-03) from the Satish Dhawan S Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

    GSAT-7R Satellite

    • It is an indigenously developed satellite, weighing approximately 4,400 kg, is India’s heaviest communication satellite to be launched from the country to date.
    • It is designed to replace Gsat-7 (Rukmini), which was launched in 2013 and is primarily dedicated to the Indian Navy.
    • Launch vehicle – LVM3, on its M5 mission.
    • The satellite had been successfully inserted into a geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO).

    Lucknow Designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

    Syllabus: Miscellaneous

    In News

    • UNESCO designated Lucknow as a Creative City of Gastronomy, recognizing its rich and diverse culinary heritage, particularly its famed Awadhi cuisine.
    • This makes Lucknow the second Indian city after Hyderabad (2019) to earn this honor in the gastronomy category of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

    UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

    • The UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy designation celebrates cities with rich culinary traditions and innovative food cultures.
    • This recognition is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

    UNESCO Creative Cities Network

    • Launched in
    • Aim – To promote investment in creativity for sustainable urban development, social inclusion and cultural vibrancy.
    • The Network covers seven creative fields Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music.
    • With this, Lucknow joins a global network of 408 cities across 100+ countries

    Nipah Virus

    Syllabus: GS2/ Health, GS3/ Science and Technology

    Context

    • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is promoting development and production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Nipah viral disease.

    Nipah Virus

    • Nipah is a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmitted to humans through infected animals or contaminated food.
    • First discovered in – The first outbreaks of the Nipah virus among humans was reported from Malaysia (1998) and Singapore (1999).
    • Host reservoir: The animal host reservoir of the virus is the fruit bat, commonly known as flying fox.
    • Fruit bats are known to transmit this virus to other animals like pigs, and also dogs, cats, goats, horses and sheep.
    • Symptoms: Fever, headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, and vomiting.In severe cases, disorientation, drowsiness, seizures, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) can occur, progressing to coma and death.
    • Transmission: It can also be transmitted directly from person to person through close contact with an infected person.Some cases of infection have also been reported among people who climb trees where bats often roost.

    Russia’s ‘doomsday missile’

    Syllabus: GS3/Defence

    In News

    • Russia has launched its newest nuclear submarine ‘Khabarovsk’ designed to carry the underwater nuclear drone ‘doomsday missile’.

    ‘Doomsday Missile’

    • It is also known as Poseidon
    • It can travel at high speeds, greater than those of existing submarines and torpedoes.
    • It can operate at great depths and across intercontinental distances, which could make it difficult to intercept.
    • It is capable of intercontinental travel and immense destruction.
    • It can travel deep underwater across long distances with a nuclear power source.
    • It can reach coastal targets and serve as a strategic deterrent.

    Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025

    Syllabus: GS3/Economy

    Context

    • The Centre launched the Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025, aimed at voluntarily enrolling employees under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

    Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025

    • It was launched by the Union Minister of Labour during the 73rd foundation day of the EPFO.
    • It aims at encouraging employers to voluntarily declare and enroll eligible employees.
    • Employers can enrol workers who joined their organisations between July 1, 2017 and October 31, 2025, but were not registered under the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) for any reason.
    • Significance – The Scheme provides a chance for employers to regularise their workforce without fear of heavy penalties or legal action.

    Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)

    • It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
    • Established under – Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
    • Objectives: To ensure financial security and social welfare of employees post-retirement.
    1. To promote voluntary savings among employees.
    2. To regulate and supervise provident fund, pension, and insurance schemes.

    Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex

    Syllabus: GS3/Environment

    Context

    • Experts from academic institutions and conservation groups are collaborating to propose the Rowmari and Donduwa wetlands in Assam for Ramsar site designation.

    Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex

    • Location – This is within the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a part of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
    • Laokhowa and the adjoining Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries function as connectivity corridors for wild animals migrating between the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and Orang National Park (Kaziranga-Orang landscape).
    • It hosts around 120 species of resident and migratory birds annually, including globally threatened species such as, the knob-billed duck, black-necked stork, and the ferruginous pochard.
    • This complex has recorded more birds than the only two Ramsar sites in the northeast, Assam’s Deepor Beel and Manipur’s Loktak Lake.

    Connect with the basics – Ramsar Convention

    • A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as one of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
    • Ramsar Convention – It is one of the inter-governmental accords to preserve the wetlands of international importance.
    • It was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and came into force in 1975.
    • India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.
  • Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 | Fair and Remunerative Price

    Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025

    News-

    • The Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025 was held from November 4 to 6, 2025.
    • Theme : “Workforce 2030: Scale, Systems, and Synergy.”

    Organizers and Partners

    • The summit was organized by the Government of Karnataka through the Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department, along with the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation, Department of Agriculture, and Karnataka Digital Economy Mission.

    Objectives and Vision

    • to strengthen institutions, build a robust ecosystem for traditional and emerging skills, improve the quality and inclusivity of skilling, and foster innovation and global workforce mobility.
    • Karnataka aims to be the “Skill Gateway to the World” by aligning with international certification standards and vocational education frameworks.

    Fair and Remunerative Price

    News –

    • CM writes to PM seeking meet to address FRP concerns

    Sugar Production in India

    • India became the world’s top sugar producer in 2021-2022, surpassing Brazil.
    • Location of Sugar Industry in India: Sugar industry is broadly distributed over two major areas of production:
    1. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and Punjab in the north and
    2. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in the south.

    Sugarcane – Uses

    • It belongs to the bamboo family of plants and is indigenous to India.
    • About two-third of the total sugarcane produced in India is consumed for making gur and khandsari and only one-third of it goes to sugar factories.
    • It also provides raw material for manufacturing alcohol.
    • Bagasse, the crushed cane residue, can be more beneficially used for manufacturing paper.
    • Ethanol production – It is also an efficient substitute for petroleum products and a host of other chemical products.
    • India has become the 3rd largest country in the world in ethanol production after the USA and Brazil.

    Conditions for growth

    • Crop duration: 10-15 months, and even 18 months to mature, depending upon geographical conditions.
    • Soil: Sugarcane can tolerate any kind of soil that can retain moisture. Examples – loams, clayey, black cotton soil, brown or reddish loam and laterites.
    • It should be rich in nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus.
    • Climate: Hot and Humid (21-27 °C of temperature and 75-150 cm of rainfall).

    Government steps

    Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane

    • Recommended by – Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP)
    • Objective – to assure margins on account of profit and risk to farmers, irrespective of the fact whether sugar mills generate profit or not.
  • Chittaranjan Das | The Global Peace Prayer Festival | Angola | Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill-2025 | India Development and Strategic Fund (IDSF) | Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund

    Chittaranjan Das

    Syllabus: GS1/ Personalities

    In News

    • Lok Sabha paid floral tribute to freedom fighter Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, on his birth anniversary.

    Chittaranjan Das (1870 – 1925)

    • He was popularly known as Deshbandhu (Friend of the Nation).
    • He was a key nationalist leader, lawyer, freedom fighter, and social reformer of the Indian independence movement.
    • He defended Aurobindo Ghosh in the Alipore Bomb Case (1908) and later joined the freedom movement full-time.
    • Key Contributions: He was a participant of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1919–22) led by Mahatma Gandhi​.
    • He founded the Swaraj Party in 1923 with Motilal Nehru to enter legislative councils and resist colonial rule from within​.
    • Chittaranjan Das was first elected Mayor of Calcutta (1924), worked for urban reforms and Indian empowerment in municipal administration
    • He wrote poems, essays, and books including ‘India for Indians’ and ‘Freedom through Disobedience’​.

    The Global Peace Prayer Festival

    Syllabus: GS1/Culture

    Context

    • The Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) was inaugurated at Thimphu, by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

    Global Peace Prayer Festival

    • The 16-day festival is a global initiative dedicated to prayers for world peace and healing of humanity amid ongoing global conflicts.
    • This was the first-ever Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) where religious leaders and scholars from three main branches of Buddhism — Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana were present.

    Angola

    Syllabus: GS1/ Places In News

    In News

    • President Droupadi Murmu is on a State Visit to Angola, marking the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the southern African nation.

    Angola

    • Capital – Luanda
    • Location: Angola is located on the west coast of Southern Africa, bordered by Namibia (south), Zambia (east), the Democratic Republic of Congo (north), and the Atlantic Ocean (west).
    • Political Overview: Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975
    • Economic Profile: It is Africa’s second-largest oil producer after Nigeria. Diamonds form another major export sector.
    • Geography Highest Point is Mount Moco near Huambo & major rivers are Cuanza, Cunene, and Cuango.
    • India–Angola Relations – The diplomatic ties established in 1985

    Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill-2025

    Syllabus: GS2/Governance

    Context

    • Assam Chief Minister announced that the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill-2025 will be tabled in the Assembly.

    Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill-2025

    • Mandate – It proposes to make the act of marrying multiple times while a spouse is still alive a punishable offence, with a prison term of up to seven years.
    • The offence has been made a cognizable offence, meaning they will not be given bail immediately.
    • This law will not apply to the state’s Scheduled Tribe communities and in the tribal districts under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
    • Special Fund: The Bill also contains a provision for the state government to set up a special fund to offer compensation to women who are “victims of polygamy”.

    India Development and Strategic Fund (IDSF)

    Syllabus: GS2/Governance

    Context

    • The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has suggested setting up an India Development and Strategic Fund (IDSF) to support long-term growth and global economic security.

    India Development and Strategic Fund (IDSF)

    • Aim: to support long-term growth and global economic security
    • It will build an enduring financial engine for long-term national development beyond annual budgets.
    • Sectors: Infrastructure, Clean energy, Logistics and industrial corridors, MSME scale-up, Education & skilling, Healthcare, Urban infrastructure.

    Additional Information – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

    • It is a Non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led and industry-managed organization.
    • Established in -1895
    • Headquarters – New Delhi.

    Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund

    Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

    Context

    • PM Modi launched the ₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund.

    Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund

    • Financial outlay – 6 years.
    • Nodal agency – Department of Science and Technology (DST)
    • Objective – It encourages the private sector to scale up research, development, and innovation (RDI) in sunrise domains,

    India’s R&D Landscape

    • India’s R&D expenditure has doubled in the last decade, but still remains around 7% of GDP, lower than global leaders such as the USA (2.8%) and China (2.4%).

    Government Initiatives to Boost R&D

    • National Research Foundation (NRF): Aims to enhance research funding and collaboration between academia and industry.
    • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Encourages startups, entrepreneurship, and innovation among students and professionals.
    • Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Supports high-tech manufacturing through incentives for R&D-driven industries.
  • Stablecoins | National Beekeeping & Honey Mission

    Stablecoins

    Syllabus: GS3/Economy

    Context

    • Rupee-backed stablecoins regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could revolutionize payments, remittances, and cross-border transactions.

    Rupee Stablecoins

    • Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a fixed value by being tied to a reserve asset — typically fiat currencies like the US dollar or Indian rupee.
    • A rupee stablecoin aims to be pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee, offering the benefits of crypto (speed, programmability, global reach) without the volatility.
    • Stablecoins are built for utility, not investment unlike speculative crypto assets.

    They can be used for:

    • Instant domestic and international payments;
    • Smart contract-based financial services;
    • Reducing transaction costs in remittances;

    Connect with the basics

    • Cryptocurrency – It is a virtual currency used for financial transactions. It uses blockchain technology for various transactions.
    • Blockchain – The blockchain is an incorruptible digital ledger of transactions that can be programmed to record virtually everything of value. Each list of records in a blockchain is called a block.
    • Bitcoin – It is a type of Cryptocurrency that enables instant payments to anyone.

    National Beekeeping & Honey Mission

    Syllabus: GS3/Economy

    In News

    • India’s honey sector is undergoing a structured transformation as the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) continues to scale scientific beekeeping across the country.

    National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)

    • It is a Central Sector Scheme
    • Objective – to promote and develop scientific beekeeping and the production of quality honey and other beehive products.
    • Implementation- National Bee Board (NBB).
    • Significance – It was launched as a part of the “Sweet Revolution”, an ambitious initiative aimed at promoting apiculture.
    • Major Indian states producing honey are: Uttar Pradesh (17%), West Bengal (16%), Punjab (14%), Bihar (12%) and Rajasthan (9%).
  • Cobra Beat | Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Karnataka Yojane (CMKKY)

    Cobra Beat

    News –

    • In a bid to tackle micro-level issues contributing to traffic congestion, the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) has launched a Cobra Beat system.

    Cobra Beat system

    • It is a traffic management initiative by the Bengaluru Traffic Police
    • Overview – to address congestion by having designated officers, known as “Cobras,” patrol specific routes during peak hours to tackle issues like illegal parking, bottlenecks, and wrong-way driving.
    • These officers act as first responders to proactively resolve minor traffic problems that cause major jams, improving real-time traffic flow.

    Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Karnataka Yojane (CMKKY)

    News –

    • Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Karnataka Yojane (CMKKY) shall be targeted under schemes implemented directly by SDEL
    • 50 lakh youth shall be targeted under schemes implemented by other Government departments and government bodies.

    Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Karnataka Yojane (CMKKY)

    • Aim- It is the flagship skill development scheme by the Government of Karnataka, providing free, short-term vocational training to the state’s youth to enhance their employability and promote entrepreneurship.

    Key Features and Objectives

    • Goal: The scheme aims to skill 5 lakh youth annually across various government departments to meet industry demands.
    • Target Audience: It is designed for youth, especially school drop-outs and existing workers in the informal sector, within an general age group of 15 to 35 years (with some exceptions for specific categories).
    • Training Areas: Training is offered in nearly 3,000 job roles across over 35 sectors, including IT & ITeS, healthcare, automotive, electronics, and agriculture. Recent updates for 2025-26 prioritize emerging areas like Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain.
    • Placement Assistance: The Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), which oversees the program, also facilitates placement opportunities for at least 70% of the trainees after successful completion of the course.
    • Integration with other schemes: CMKKY works in convergence with central government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and the state’s recent “Yuvanidhi Plus” initiative for beneficiaries receiving unemployment allowances.
  • SWR launches ‘MUTS Sahayak’ ticketing scheme | Honnavar Port Project

    SWR launches ‘MUTS Sahayak’ ticketing scheme

    News

    • In a bid to streamline the ticketing process, South Western Railway (SWR) has launched the Mobile Unreserved Ticketing System (MUTS) Sahayak Scheme at the KSR Bengaluru Station.
    • This makes SWR the first railway zone in the country to introduce the initiative.

    Mobile Unreserved Ticketing System (MUTS) Sahayak Scheme

    • Under the scheme, trained MUTS Sahayaks will use MUTS handheld devices to issue unreserved tickets to passengers.

     The move is aimed at easing congestion at ticket counters and providing commuters with a quicker, hassle-free option for purchasing tickets.

    Honnavar Port Project

    News –

    • Fact-finding report asks State to revoke environmental clearance

    Honnavar Port Project

    • Location: Honnavara (Honnavar), Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, at the mouth of the Sharavathi River.
    • Project type: Major deep-water port development under public-private partnership; managed by Honnavar Port Private Limited (HPPL) in collaboration with Karnataka Maritime Board.
    • Project cost: Approximately ₹607 crore.
    • Cargo handling: Initial capacity of 4.9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), expected to boost regional maritime trade and economic growth.
    • Opposition: Strong resistance from local fishing communities across five villages due to threats to livelihoods and ecological concerns related to the Sharavathi estuary.