Category: State Current Affairs

Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025

News –

• Karnataka Cabinet’s landmark decision to approve the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025 that will ensure one day’s paid leave in a month across government and private sectors.
• Note – Karnataka becomes the first State to cover both the government and private sectors in its menstrual leave policy.
• Odisha and Bihar have a policy for government employees while Kerala has implemented the policy in universities.

Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025

• Women in the state of Karnataka will be entitled to up to 12 menstrual leaves annually.
• This development marks a significant step in recognising menstrual health at a workplace and rights issue.
• The Dr. Sapna S committee was appointed by the Karnataka government to study and recommend menstrual leave policy
• Significance – It aims to create a more inclusive and stigma-free workplace and is considered a landmark decision in India, as it covers both government and private sectors comprehensively.

Jayaprakash Narayan Award

News –

• Former MLA Y.S.V. Datta has been selected for the Jayaprakash Narayan Award 2025 by Bharata Yatra Kendra.
• The selection committee included Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat president B.L. Shankar and B.R. Patil, Deputy Chairperson of the Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission.

City leads globally in AI skill penetration

News –

• ‘The State government was investing ₹1,000 crore to build innovation clusters across Mangaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi’
• Bengaluru’s ecosystem leads globally in AI skill penetration and R&D output, ranking among the top five cities worldwide.
• “3P model of People, Policy and Participation, which ensures every stakeholder, from academia to entrepreneurs, has a voice in shaping growth,’‘
• Karnataka is not just an investment destination but the global knowledge and skill capital. With 40% of India’s R&D talent, 30% of all Global Capability Centres, and 48% of the country’s 110 unicorns.
• Karnataka drives the nation’s digital economy.’‘

Neeriddare Nale scheme

News –

• The State government will implement the Neeriddare Nale (water is future) initiative across 525 gram panchayats in 27 taluks of 15 districts.

Neeriddare Nale scheme (meaning “Water is Future”)

• Launched on – October 9, 2025
• Goal: To conserve water and increase groundwater levels in areas where it has been overexploited.
• Focus areas: The first phase targets 525 gram panchayats across 27 taluks in 15 districts where groundwater is critically low.
• Strategies: The program will implement several measures including:

1. Constructing new groundwater recharge structures.
2. Installing rain water harvesting systems.
3. Regulating water extraction in critical areas.
4. Developing region-specific crop and water management strategies.
5. Public awareness: The scheme also involves public awareness campaigns. Actor Vasista Simha was appointed as the brand ambassador for the Department of Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development to help engage the younger generation on water conservation issues.

Water Resilience Project

News-

• IISc, IIT-M join forces with Greater Bengaluru authority for the World Bank-funded water security and resilience project.
• The project will receive over ₹3,500 crore in funding from the World Bank, with key stakeholders including the GBA, BWSSB, Minor Irrigation, and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC).

Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Program (Bengaluru)

• Objective – It is a World Bank-supported initiative to address water scarcity and urban flooding in Bengaluru through improved water management
• It includes reviving 183 lakes, upgrading stormwater drains, building sewage treatment plants, reducing water leakage through new technology like smart meters, and enhancing disaster response systems.
• Duration: The program is set to be initiated in April 2025.
• Implementing Agency: The Revenue Department (Disaster Management) is the primary implementing agency.

State Film Awards

News-

• The Karnataka government has announced the State Film Awards for 2021, celebrating the best of Kannada cinema released in that year.

State Film Awards

1. Best Film: “Doddahatti Boregowda” (Directed by Raghu KM)
2. Second Best Film: “777 Charlie” (Directed by Kiranraj K)
3. Third Best Film: “Bisilu Kudure” (Directed by Hridaya Shiva)
4. Best Actor: Rakshit Shetty for “777 Charlie”
5. Best Actress: Archana Jois for “Mute”
6. Best Supporting Actor: Pramod for “Ratnan Prapancha”
7. Best Supporting Actress: Umashree for “Ratnan Prapancha”
8. Best Popular Entertaining Film: “Yuvarathnaa” (Produced by Vijay Kiragandur, Directed by Santhosh Ananddram)
9. Best Children’s Film: “Cake” (Directed by Kishore Moodbidri)
10. Best Debut Director: Shankar Guru for “Badava Rascal”
11. Best Regional Language Film: “Nada Peda Asha” (Kodava language, Directed by Prakash Kariappa)

HelpAge India launches ‘AdvantAge60’ campaign

News –

• HelpAge India, a NGO working for the cause of senior citizens, launched its new campaign ‘AdvantAge60

‘AdvantAge60: Powering Aspirations’,

• It is a campaign that promotes a positive view of aging for elders in India.
• The campaign aims to showcase how individuals over 60 can lead active, enabled, and empowered lives, countering ageist stereotypes by highlighting the strength and potential of older people.
• Theme: “Powering Aspirations – Active, Enabled & Empowered”.
• Launch: Launched on International Day of Older Persons 2025.

Three new judges of HC assume office

News –

• Chief Justice of the High Court Vibhu Bakhru administered the oath to Justices Geetha Kadaba Bharataraja Setty, Borkatte Muralidhara Pai, and Tyagaraja Narayan Inavally.

Constitutional Provisions Related to High Courts

• Articles 214 to 231 in Part VI of the Indian Constitution deal with the provisions related to the High Courts.

Appointment of Judges of High Court

• The Chief Justice and other judges of the High Court are appointed by the President of India as can be seen in the following sections.

Appointment of Chief Justice of High Court

• The Chief Justice is appointed by the President after consultation with the Governor of the concerned State and the Chief Justice of India.

Appointment of Other Judges of High Court

• Other judges of the High Court are appointed by the President after consultation with the Governor of the State, the Chief Justice of India, and the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.

Additional information – List of Chief justice of Karnataka Highcourt

Karnataka sees sharp increase in road accidents

News –

• Among 53 cities across India, Bengaluru is ranked in the top five with a 30.3% increase in accidents; it was preceded by Ranchi (50.3%), Varanasi (46.3%), and Pune (35%)

Initiatives of Karnataka government to promote road safety

• Karnataka State Road Safety Authority Act, 2017: The government established the Karnataka State Road Safety Authority to systematically implement road safety programs and manage a dedicated Road Safety Fund.
• Partnership with SaveLIFE Foundation: The government has signed an MoU with the SaveLIFE Foundation to implement data-driven interventions, including the “Zero Fatality District” (ZFD) programme in high-fatality district This collaboration has already contributed to a significant reduction in fatalities on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway through specific engineering and enforcement measures.
• “Namma Raste Namma Surakshite” Safe-A-Thon: The Transport Department organizes community events, such as walkathons, marathons, and cyclothons, to promote life-saving habits and general road safety awareness.
• “Catch the Youth” Program: The Traffic Warden Organisation reaches out to colleges to educate young adults on road safety and discourage wilful violations like overspeeding and riding without helmets.
• COBRA Patrol Vehicles: Bengaluru traffic police deploys motorbikes for 24/7 patrolling and first response to accidents, breakdowns, and other traffic issues, coordinated via the control room.

Shakti scheme

News –

• Shakti scheme, the flagship women-empowerment initiative of the State government, has achieved another global milestone by entering the International Book of Records – World Record of Excellence.
• Over 500 crore free tickets have been issued since the launch of the scheme, which offers free bus travel for women.

Shakti scheme

• Launched in – The scheme was launched on June 11, 2023
• It is a program which provides free bus travel for all women residents of Karnataka.
• Objective: Its primary aim is to empower women by improving access to public transport, encouraging their participation in the workforce, and enhancing their financial independence and mobility.
• Targeted beneficiary – All women domiciled in Karnataka, including female students and transgender women, are eligible.
• Note – Free travel is valid only in non-premium buses operated by KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, and KKRTC, and only within the state.