Author: Ramvilas

Awards

Booker Prize 2026

Context: The longlist for the Booker Prize 2026, comprising 13 selected books, was officially announced.

Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

• Booker Prize Criteria: Awarded annually to an author for a novel originally written in English and published in the UK and/or Ireland between October 1 and September 30.
• Prize Money: The winner receives £50,000, while each of the six shortlisted authors receives £2,500.
• 2025 Winner: David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel Flesh.
• Indian Booker Prize Winners:
  • Arundhati Roy: The God of Small Things (1997)
  • Kiran Desai: The Inheritance of Loss (2006)
  • Aravind Adiga: The White Tiger (2008)
    (Note: V.S. Naipaul won in 1971 for ‘In a Free State’).

Miscellaneous

1. Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS)

Why in News: IACS, India’s oldest scientific research institute, marked its 150th anniversary in 2026.

Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

• Foundation: Established in 1876 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• Founder: Dr. Mahendralal Sircar.
• Significance: India’s first national institution dedicated to scientific research by Indians.
• Current Status: Autonomous institution jointly funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Government of West Bengal.
• Historical Milestone: Prof. C.V. Raman discovered the Raman Effect at IACS laboratories, earning the 1930 Nobel Prize.

Prominent Scientists Associated:

2. India’s First Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ)

Why in News: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish India’s first dedicated Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior.

Salient Features & Key Exam Facts:

• Location: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
• Scale: An integrated 350-acre plug-and-play industrial cluster. (Phase-I covers 170 acres).
• Governance: A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with a 51% equity stake for the MP Government and 49% for the DoT.
• Funding (Phase-I): The Central Government (DoT) is providing 100% funding support of ₹493 crore for core infrastructure, while the MP government has provided 170 acres of land free of cost.
• Objective: To reduce reliance on imported telecom hardware, boost domestic manufacturing (Make in India), and accelerate R&D for 5G/6G technologies.
• Expected Impact: Projected long-term investments of ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 crore and the creation of roughly 14,000 direct skilled jobs.

Important Days

1. Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom Day 

• Observed Date: July 31
• Observing Organisation: Government of India (State Governments of Punjab and Haryana)
• Objective: To commemorate the revolutionary leader for his supreme sacrifice in the freedom struggle, avenging the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre by assassinating Michael O’Dwyer in London, and symbolizing secular unity through the identity “Ram Mohammad Singh Azad”.

2. World Lung Cancer Day 

• Observed Date: August 1
• Observing Organisation: Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and global health organizations
• Objective: To raise global awareness about the burden of lung cancer, promote early detection through Low-Dose Computed Tomography (LDCT) screening, encourage prevention, and advocate for equitable access to timely diagnosis and life-saving treatments worldwide.
• Theme: “Together through lung cancer”

3. World Wide Web Day 

• Observed Date: August 1
• Observing Organisation: Global Tech Community / World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) 
• Objective: To honour the invention of the World Wide Web by Sir Tim Berners-Lee (1989) and highlight the web’s transformative role in revolutionizing global communication, democratization of information, and digital innovation.
• Theme: “Empowering the Future: Building an Inclusive, Safe, and Open Web”

Reports & Rankings

1. Market Distortions Performance Index Report

Released By: Competere Foundation (in collaboration with CTIL, IIFT).

Key Observations:

• Major Rank Jump: India climbed 25 positions to rank 57th globally in structural and pro-competitive reforms (up from 82nd in 2010).
• Assessment Pillars: Evaluates nations across three core pillars: protection of property rights, domestic competition, and international competition.
• Primary Drivers: The improvement is attributed to key structural reforms, primarily the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).

Performance Metric:

2. Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2026

Released By: Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy (YCELP) and Columbia University (CIESIN).

Salient Features & Key Observations:

• Global Leaders: Estonia secured the 1st rank globally with a score of 74.79, with European nations occupying the top five positions.
• India’s Standing: India ranked 176th out of 177 countries with a score of 22.46, placing it second from the absolute bottom, ahead only of Laos.
• Sectoral Performance (India): India performed poorly in critical areas like Environmental Health, Air Quality, and Biodiversity, but showed comparative progress in Climate Change Mitigation and Waste Management.
• Assessment Framework: The biennial index evaluates nations using 47 indicators across 12 environmental issue categories to track progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

Performance Metric:

Statewide Pulse Polio immunization campaign

News – 

• Karnataka Health Department executed a massive statewide Pulse Polio immunization campaign on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Pulse Polio 

• Pathogen: Caused by the Poliovirus.
• Transmission: Spread primarily through the fecal-oral route via contaminated food or water, multiplying inside the human intestine.
• Symptoms: Most infections are asymptomatic (90-95%). 
• Symptomatic cases present with fever, fatigue, headaches, neck stiffness, and limb pain. In 1 in 200 cases, it causes Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), affecting the legs or breathing muscles, which can be fatal.
• Cure: There is no cure for polio. It can only be prevented through timely immunization.

Totapuri mangoes

• The Union government approved the procurement of 96,879 metric tonnes of Totapuri mangoes for Karnataka in July 2026 under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).

Totapuri mangoes 

• Regions: Cultivated primarily in Andhra Pradesh (Tirupati/Chittoor), Karnataka (Kolar), and Tamil Nadu.
• Shape: Distinctive beak-like pointed tip (hence called Kilimooku or Ginimoothi).
• Usage: Main raw material for the Indian mango pulp and juice processing industry.
• Economy: Subject to price volatility, often triggering the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).

Core Objectives

• Prevent Distress Sales: Cushions farmers against sudden economic losses when a bumper crop crashes local market prices.
• Price Remuneration: Stabilises fluctuating market prices to ensure farmers recover at least their cost of production.
• Crop Diversification: Encourages farmers to grow high-value horticultural crops by reducing the inherent price risks.

State-run women’s driver training institute at Bidadi

News – 

• The Karnataka government has decided to establish a dedicated Women’s Driver Training Institute to boost women’s employment in the transport sector.

About – 

• Objective: The goal is to financially empower women and increase their job opportunities within the transport sector.
• Location: The institute will be built in the Bidadi Industrial Area, located on the outskirts of Bengaluru.
• First of its Kind: This is the first driver training institute in the country to be set up specifically by a State government.
• Infrastructure: The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will build the facilities, which include a main building and a dedicated driving track exclusively for women trainees.
• Skill Training: The Association Of Women Entrepreneurs Of Karnataka (AWAKE) will be responsible for providing professional driver training for all types of vehicles and other vocational courses.

Reservoirs of Karnataka

News – 

• Southwest monsoon in June has led to dangerously low water levels across major reservoirs in Karnataka, raising concerns over water sharing and farming.

About – 

‘Free Bird’ apparel brand launched by Central Prison inmates

News – 

• The Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru launched “Free Bird”, a premium ready-made apparel brand handcrafted entirely by prison inmates. 
• This initiative is a collaboration between the Karnataka Prisons and Correctional Services Department and HCL to drive rehabilitation and vocational skill development.
• Material & Design: The shirts are made using high-quality linen sourced from Surat. They feature the Gandaberunda, the Karnataka State emblem, as the brand’s logo.

Tiptur coconut, Hoysala-style stone art to get GI tag

News – 

• The four traditional products from Karnataka are set to receive the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. 

About – 

• Tiptur coconut (specifically known for its high-quality copra, long shelf life, and distinctive sweet taste)
• Hoysala-style stone art (representing the intricate, globally acclaimed stone-carving traditions seen in Hoysala temples)
• Sanikatte salt (valued for its traditional natural production process and high mineral content)
• Kunbi Mudli(a rare, climate-resilient tuber belonging to the taro/Colocasia family)

Complete List of Karnataka’s GI Tags by Category

• Karnataka holds 51 registered Geographical Indication (GI) tags as of 2026, making it one of the top states in India for protected regional products. 
• Managed by the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai under the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• These tags protect the unique intellectual property, culture, and agricultural heritage of the state

59 Karnataka freedom fighters jailed in Andamans to be chronicled

News – 

• The Karnataka Sahitya Academy has launched a specialized research initiative 
• Objective – to document the lives of 59 lesser-known freedom fighters from Karnataka who were exiled by the British to the Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
• Led by Academy President L.N. Mukundraj.
• Significance-   this project aims to prevent these individuals from being erased from India’s independence history

Key Facts of the Initiative

• Historical Context: The 59 freedom fighters were incarcerated following their active participation in the 1857 Indian Rebellion and related local uprisings.
• Upcoming Publication: The research findings will be compiled into a book titled Yaaroo Ariyada Veeraru (The Unknown Heroes).
• Research Strategy: To unearth primary documents, researchers are deploying public banners in ancestral villages across Karnataka, encouraging families to share oral histories, letters, or artifacts.

Key Regions Involved

• Gadag (Nargund): Home to fighters like Faras Khan and Bikaji Ganesh Gokhale.
• Uttara Kannada (Karwar): Home to rebels like Gopal Bhandari and Vitu Gawli.
• Bagalkot (Mudhol): Involves the Halagali Bedas, tribal hunters who fought British disarmament laws.

Youth Employment and Opportunity Report in Karnataka

News – 

• The “Karnataka State Handbook on Youth Opportunity” published by the Future of India Foundation reveals that 22.6% of Karnataka’s youth under 35 years old fall into the NEET category (Not in Employment, Education, or Training).

Key Metrics

• Not in Employment, Education, or Training Rate: 22.6% of youth under 35 are not in employment, education, or training.
• Labor Force: Youth participation stands at 45.6%.
• Unemployment: Youth unemployment has dropped to 8.6%.Job Type: 44% hold regular salaried jobs; 42% work in the informal sector.
• Training: Vocational and technical training reach is at 28.5%.

Challenges

• Regional Divide: Bengaluru Urban leads (score 65), while Yadgir (score 42) lags severely.
• Job Concentration: Opportunities remain heavily concentrated in Bengaluru, forcing mass migration.
• Gender Gap: Female labor force participation is low at 24.5%.
• Social Barriers: 24% of female graduates face unemployment due to restricted mobility.

Additional Information – Youth Employment schemes in Karnataka

Yuva Nidhi Scheme

• Financial Support: Offers a monthly unemployment allowance for up to two years or until securing a job. Eligible degree holders receive ₹3,000 per month, and diploma holders receive ₹1,500 per month.
• Eligibility: Domicile residents of Karnataka who passed their graduation or diploma courses in recent academic years (2023 onward) and remain unemployed, not pursuing higher studies, or self-employed.
• Application: Eligible candidates can apply through the Seva Sindhu Portal or local employment exchange offices, requiring a self-declaration every three months.

Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Karnataka Yojane (CMKKY)Vocational 

• Skilling: The state’s flagship short-term training initiative for youth aged 18 to 35 years.
• Training Scope: Provides free training aligned with national standards across 35+ industry sectors, including IT, retail, automotive, and healthcare.
• Placement: Centers across the state actively assist certified trainees with job placements and self-employment paths.

Nipuna Karnataka

• Advanced Tech Skills: A specialized workforce empowerment initiative designed to train youth in emerging sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cyber Security, and advanced manufacturing.
• Industry Partnerships: Collaborates with global tech companies and startups to offer hybrid learning models, internships, and globally recognized certifications.

Information Disorder Tackling Unit (IDTU)

News – 

• The Karnataka government is reviving the Information Disorder Tackling Unit (IDTU) to combat fake news, deepfakes, and hate speech.

Structure and Operations

• Command Unit: Operates under the State’s Cyber Command Unit, managed by a DGP-rank officer.
• Rapid Response: Establishes fast communication channels with major social media platforms for swift content removal.
• Technology: Deploys AI-based monitoring tools to detect bot networks and manipulated media.

Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery river linking project

News- 

• Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy criticized the state’s concurrence for the Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery river linking project

About – 

• • The Godavari-Krishna-Cauvery River Interlinking Project is a massive water management initiative designed to address severe water shortages in Southern India. 

• Objective- It aims to divert unutilized surplus water from the Godavari basin southward to the water-deficit Krishna, Pennar, and Cauvery river basins

Launch of mobile forensic labs and police vehicles in Karnataka

News – 

• Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar launched 32 mobile Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) to modernize the state’s criminal justice system and improve emergency response.

About – 

• Mobile Labs: Act as moving labs for Crime Scene Investigation Officers to conduct immediate on-site testing.
• Evidence Protection: Designed for digital triage and secure transportation to prevent evidence contamination.
• Narcotics Control: Equipped to perform immediate presumptive testing on seized drugs in high-risk districts.
• Total Cost: The advanced forensic fleet was procured for ₹20.40 crore with central government support.
• Statewide Deployment: One forensic vehicle is permanently assigned to each police district unit across Karnataka.
• Efficiency Boost: Aimed at reducing court backlogs and accelerating criminal conviction rates through scientific evidence.

Karnataka State Commission for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)

News 

• L. Murthy, the chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), announced that a comprehensive report on the socio-economic status of nomadic and tribal communities will be submitted to the government.

Key Findings and Directives

• Universal Issues: The commission toured 18 districts across Karnataka, noting identical structural problems faced by these heavily exploited communities.
• Primary Demands: The upcoming report highlights an urgent need to systematically provide land, education, housing, and financial assistance. 

Additional Information – Karnataka State Commission for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Status & Legal Basis

• Statutory Body: Created under the Karnataka State Commission for SCs and STs Act, 2002.
• Constitutional Distinction: Unlike the National Commissions (Articles 338 & 338A) which are Constitutional, this is a state-level statutory body.

Structure & Composition

• Headquarters: Bengaluru.
• Leadership: Led by a Chairperson with specialized knowledge of SC/ST matters.
• Management: The Commissioner of Social Welfare acts as the Member Secretary.

Powers & Functions

• Inquiry & Investigation: Examines complaints regarding the deprivation of rights and safeguards.
• Civil Court Powers: Holds procedural powers to summon witnesses and demand documents during inquiries.
• Policy Advice: Advises on state-level planning for the socio-economic development of SC/ST communities.

Critical Judicial Limits (UPSC Mains Focus)

• No Adjudicatory Power: The Karnataka High Court ruled the commission cannot resolve disputes or pass interim/final orders.
• Not a Court: Its Civil Court powers are strictly limited to the investigation phase; it cannot act as an alternative tribunal or service court.

KPSC Chairman Suspended in Karnataka

News – 

• Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot suspended Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) Chairman Shivashankarappa S. Sahukar on July 13, 2026, over allegations that he facilitated the illegal selection of his two daughters as Industrial Extension Officers.

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) vs State Public Service Commission (SPSC)

• The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruiting agency operating at the national level, while the State Public Service Commission (SPSC) is an independent constitutional body operating within its respective state. 
• While both bodies are governed by the same constitutional framework (Articles 315 to 323 of Part XIV),

Key Differences at a Glance

Expediting ropeway projects in Karnataka

News – 

• Minister for Energy and Tourism K.J. George has directed Tourism Department officials to speed up the implementation of 13 proposed ropeway projects across the state.

About

• Feasibility Agency: The feasibility studies for all 13 ropeway projects have been assigned to Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES).
• Study Status: Feasibility reports for 8 out of the 13 projects have already been completed.

13 Shortlisted Locations:

1. Madhugiri Fort (Tumakuru)
2. Mallalli Falls (Kodagu)
3. Anjanadri Hills (Koppal)
4. Ballari Fort (Ballari)
5. Nrupatunga Hills (Dharwad)
6. Yadgir Fort (Yadgir)
7. Mylara Lingeshwara Temple (Yadgir)
8. Holalamma Temple (Gadag)
9. Kalakaleshwara Temple (Gadag)
10. Saundatti Yellamma Temple (Belagavi)
11. Devaragudda Malatesha Temple (Haveri)
12. Gokak Falls (Belagavi)
13. Mullayanagiri peak (Chikkamagaluru)

Additional Information – Parvatmala Pariyojana (National Ropeways Development Programme)

• Launched in – 2022-23. 

• Objective – It builds ropeways to improve last-mile connectivity in challenging terrains and congested urban areas.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
• Execution Model: Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
• Financing – Central sponsored scheme

Significance – 

• Terrain Mobility: Provides a safer alternative in landslide-prone regions like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and the North-East.
• Urban Decongestion: Acts as a mass transit system where expanding road or Metro networks is physically unfeasible.
• Tourism & Borders: Eases access to high-altitude pilgrimage sites and supports the Vibrant Villages Programme near border infrastructure.
• Eco-Friendly: Lowers the environmental footprint by avoiding massive earth-cutting and heavy deforestation.

Key Flagship Projects

• Sonprayag to Kedarnath (Uttarakhand): A 12.9 km ropeway reducing an 8-hour trek to 36 minutes.
• Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib (Uttarakhand): A 12.4 km ropeway replacing a rigorous 21-km foot trek.

Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas

News – 

• The Karnataka government has introduced guidelines and a fund release schedule to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas across the state.

About – 

• The Bharat Jodo Yuva Sangha is a youth welfare scheme in Karnataka that builds local community clubs to promote leadership, sports, and social harmony.

Features- 

• Target: Youth aged 16 to 35.
• Scale: 10,000 units across rural and urban local bodies.
• Funding: ₹10 lakh annual grant per youth club.
• Total Budget: ₹1,010 crore state allocation.
• Structure: 100 to 250 members per unit with an elected committee.

Controversy

• Debate: Opposition parties claim it uses public funds to build political party cadres, while the government maintains it is a neutral public welfare initiative.

 ‘Freedom from Waste’ campaign

News – 

• The ‘Freedom from Waste’ campaign is a month-long cleanliness drive launching across Bengaluru on August 1, 2026. 
• Led by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), it aims to clear 22,700 tonnes of legacy waste and eliminate 1,616 garbage blackspots.
• Deep Cleaning: Targets flyovers, skywalks, underpasses, and bus stands.
• Footpath Clearing: Removal of old electricity poles, transformers, and hanging wires.
• Debris Tracking: Construction waste will be tracked via the ClearIt app and GPS.
• Processing Sites: Waste goes to plants in Mandur, Vittasandra, Chikkajala, and Yerappanahalli.

Rules for Private Plot Owners

• August 15, 2026: Deadline to clear weeds, waste, and debris from vacant plots.
• ₹25,000: Fine for the first failure to comply.
• ₹50,000–₹1,00,000: Fines for repeat violations.
• Tax Penalty: GBA will clean non-compliant plots and add costs to the owner’s property tax.

Citizen Action & Reporting

• Report Violations: WhatsApp photos and GPS locations of blackspots to 9448197197.
• Anonymity: Informant identities will remain strictly confidential.Household Duty: Citizens must strictly segregate wet, dry, and sanitary waste.

India’s First Government-Driven AI University in Karnataka

News – 

• Karnataka is establishing India’s first government-driven AI University to anchor its transformation into an “AI-native” state. 
• Significance – The project positions the state as a global epicenter for responsible AI development.

Infrastructure & Locations

• Main Campus: 100 acres in Bengaluru.
• Regional Hubs: Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, and Mysuru.
• Support facilities: Integrated AI research incubation centre and two Hyperscale Green Data Centres.

Timeline & Next Steps

• Launch Plan: Full standalone operations target completion within three years (by 2029).
• Interim Strategy: AI courses deploy immediately through existing higher education networks.
• Governance: Expert committee led by tech veterans to finalize land acquisition and curriculum.

Core Objectives

• Public Sectors: Enhancing healthcare diagnostic tools, agricultural advisory systems, and governance.
• Talent Pipeline: Aligning university initiatives with school-level AI education starting from Class VI.

Re-incorporation of ‘Bauddha’ in Karnataka’s State Anthem

News – 

• A high-level committee headed by Kannada Development Authority Chairman Purushothama Bilimale has recommended adding the word ‘Bauddha’ to Karnataka’s state anthem, the Naada Geete, to honor poet Kuvempu’s original 1924 draft.

Proposed Change and Rationale

• The Tweak: Modify the line “Parasika Jainarudhyaana” to “Parasika Jaina Bauddharudhyaana” in the sixth paragraph.
• Original Vision: According to The Hindu, “the word ‘Bauddharudhyana’ was present in national poet Kuvempu’s very first draft of the poem written back in 1924.”
• Rhythm and Flow: The committee confirmed the added syllables will not disrupt the rhythm, cadence, or official duration of the song.

Status and Context

• Pending Approval: The formal recommendation is with the Karnataka government for a final decision.
• Inclusivity: Supporters note it aligns with Kuvempu’s vision of sarva janangada shantiya thota (a peaceful garden for all communities)

First Documentation of 46 Wildlife Corridors in Karnataka

News – 

• The book The Last Pathways: Wildlife Corridors of Karnataka was launched on July 16, 2026, in Bengaluru. It is India’s first statewide, multi-species documentation of 46 wildlife corridors.

About – 

• Book Title: The Last Pathways: Wildlife Corridors of Karnataka
• Author: Wildlife biologist Sanjay Gubbi.
• Launch: July 16, 2026, in Bengaluru.
• Scope: Documents 46 multi-species corridors over 5 years of study.
• Impact: Explores paths for elephants, leopards, and bears across forest and human areas.
• Action: BDA committed to protecting two corridors near Bengaluru.

Four newly modernized railway stations

News- 

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated four newly modernized railway stations in Karnataka on July 17, 2026: 
• Alnavar, Badami, Bantawal, and Koppal. These upgrades form part of the nationwide rollout of 75 redeveloped stations under the Amrit Bharat Station. Scheme.

Station Costs and Upgrades

• Alnavar: Redeveloped at a cost of ₹17.2 crore.
• Badami: Modernized for ₹15.10 crore with regional architectural elements.
• Bantawal: Upgraded for ₹26.18 crore featuring local cultural artwork.
• Koppal: Renovated at a cost of ₹21.14 crore equipped with new lifts and escalators.

‘Travellers Nooks’ in Hampi Scheme

News – 

• The Karnataka State Government launched high-tech ‘Travellers Nooks’ in Hampi under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme.

Key Details

• Cost: Approved for ₹25.64 crore by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
• Build: Made from repurposed shipping containers to protect Hampi’s heritage landscape.
• Location: The first unit is open near the Shri Krishna Swamy Temple.

Provided Amenities

• Hygiene: Clean toilets and sanitary pad vending machines.
• Family: Private baby feeding and mother-and-child care rooms.
• Utilities: Drinking water stations, ATMs, and shaded seating areas.

National Film Awards: Mithya adjudged Best Kannada Film

News – 

• Kannada film Mithya won Best Kannada Film at the 72nd National Film Awards, alongside acting honors for cast members Athish S. Shetty and Roopashree Vorkady.

Award Details

• Best Kannada Film: Directed by Sumanth Bhat and produced by Rakshit Shetty under Paramvah Studios.
• Best Child Artist: Awarded to Athish S. Shetty for his lead role.
• Best Supporting Actress: Awarded to Roopashree Vorkady

Cabinet approves ₹12-crore AI Centre of Excellence at IIIT Raichur

News – 

• The Karnataka Cabinet approved a ₹12-crore Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (CoE-AI) at IIIT Raichur to decentralize technology beyond Bengaluru.

Key Details

• Funding: ₹12 crore over five years from the state budget and LEAP program.
• Management: Operated by a special vehicle named IIIT Raichur ARIA.
• Geographic Focus: Serves 13 districts across North and Kalyana Karnataka.
• Core Sectors: Develops AI tools for agriculture, healthcare, education, and MSMEs.
• Facilities: Provides advanced computing labs and startup incubation hubs.

Additional Information – LEAP (Local Economy Acceleration Programme)

• What it is: A state-level initiative designed to build robust start-up ecosystems and drive equitable economic growth outside of Bengaluru.
• Nodal Ministry / Dept / Agency: Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka.
• Funding / Budgetary outlay: ₹1,000 crore over a 5-year duration.
• Core Objectives & Key Features: Aims to create 5 lakh jobs by nurturing regional innovation clusters in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Tumakuru, Kalaburagi, and Shivamogga.

Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Raichur:

• What it is: A public technical and research university established in 2019 under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, initially mentored by IIT Hyderabad.
• Nodal Ministry / Dept / Agency: Ministry of Education, Government of India.
• Core Objectives & Key Features: Recognized as an Institute of National Importance (INI) under the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020, to foster advanced IT education and research.

“Bengaluru Hasirooru” green campaign

News – 

• The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will launch the “Bengaluru Hasirooru” green campaign from August 15 to September 15, 2026.

Key Details

• 64,000 saplings planted across lakes, roadsides, and public spaces.
• 40,000 free saplings distributed to citizens and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs).
• Geo-tagged tracking used to monitor growth.
• Four years of dedicated maintenance provided by GBA corporations.
• August 10, 2026 is the deadline to register.
• Register via the GBA Plantation Portal or email.

State police to introduce e-zero FIR to report cybercrimes

News – 

• Karnataka State Police will soon introduce an ‘e-zero FIR’ feature for cybercrimes to help banks freeze accounts linked to money laundering in real time.

About – 

• Real-time action: Citizen logs call on the 1930 helpline.
• Instant freeze: Software pushes data to banks instantly to lock compromised nodes.
• 3-day window: Victim must visit the station physically within 72 hours.
• FIR conversion: Failure to appear in person automatically drops the temporary hold.

Kalasa-Banduri project

News – 

• The Union Government has returned Karnataka’s wildlife clearance proposal for the Kalasa-Banduri project because of the inter-state dispute.

About –  

• Core Objective: Diverting water from Mahadayi River basin to Malaprabha River basin.
• The Mechanism: Building barrages across Kalasa and Banduri streams, which are tributaries of Mahadayi.
• The Destination: Channelling water into Malaprabha River, a tributary of the Krishna River.
• Target Areas: Resolves drinking water shortages in Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag districts.
• Volume: Diverting 3.9 TMC of water (1.72 TMC Kalasa, 2.18 TMC Banduri)

Profile of the Mahadayi (Mhadei) River

• Origin: Rises in Western Ghats inside Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (Belagavi, Karnataka).
• Course: Flows through Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa before emptying into the Arabian Sea.
• Goa Lifeline: Known as Mandovi River in Goa, serving as its primary water source.

The Inter-State Dispute

• Karnataka: Demands water to satisfy severe drinking needs in its arid northern districts.
• Goa: Opposes diversion due to ecological damage to Western Ghats and increased salinity in Mandovi.
• Maharashtra: Claims a share of basin water for irrigation in its Virdi region.

Conflict Resolution Status

• Tribunal Award: Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (2018) allocated 13.42 TMC to Karnataka.
• Current Hurdle: Project faces delays over forest and wildlife clearances near Kali Tiger Reserve.

All-Women Judges to Preside Over Dharwad Bench of Karnataka High Court

News – 

• The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court will make history on August 1, 2026, with all seven court benches presided over exclusively by women judges 

Bench Composition

• Division Bench 1: Justices Anu Sivaraman and K.G. Shanthi
• Division Bench 2: Justices Jyoti M and P. Sree Sudha 
• Division Bench 3: Justices Lalitha Kanneganti and K.S. Hemalekha 
• Single Benches: Justices Chillakur Sumalatha, Tara Vitasta Ganju, Geetha K.B., and Rajeshwari N. Hegde

Key Details

• Catalyst: Requested by the Dharwad Bar Association
• Timing: Scheduled for a special Saturday sitting
• Impact: Marks a historic milestone for gender representation in the higher Indian judiciary.