13th and 14th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

Mohammed Yunus
Jun 17
8 min read

13th and 14th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

Note: For Kannada Version - Click Here

13th June, 2024

GS I and GS II

Karnataka demands more funds under 16th Finance Commission award:

Karnataka Received just 3.64% share in the horizontal devolution under 15th Finance Commission (2020-21 to 2025-26).
This was less than what Karnataka received under the 14th FC - 4.71%. Due to this Karnataka state lost ₹62,098 crore in 15th FC.
Karnataka gets back only 0.29 paisa for one rupee it contributes to the Central pool of taxes, while Bihar gets back ₹7.06 and Uttar Pradesh gets back ₹2.73.
The Centre collects about ₹5 lakh crore annually in the form of taxes from the State, but Karnataka gets about ₹55,000 crore, including grants.

Karnataka’s Demands under the 16th FC:

Each State should retain ~60% of what it contributes to the Centre. 40% for redistribution to less-developed States (for equity).
Reduce the weightage of "income-distance" (which penalizes richer States). Developed states get less as they have less income distance.
Note - What is income distance criteria and how it is calculated? - Income distance is defined as the difference between a state’s per capita Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and the per capita GSDP of the state with the highest per capita GSDP. Purpose: States with lower per capita income receive a larger share of central taxes to ensure equitable development and to help them meet their fiscal needs for providing public goods and services. The 15th Finance Commission (2021–26) assigned a 45% weight to the income distance criterion in its formula for horizontal devolution, making it the most significant factor.
Increase weightage to a State’s GDP share (to reward economic performance).
Karnataka asked for States’ share in Union taxes (Vertical Devolution) to be raised to at least 50% from the current 41%.
Give at least 5% share to Karnataka (current - 3.64%) in Horizontal devolution in 16th FC (Beginning from April, 1 2026).
Karnataka also demands that Centre must bring cess and surcharges from States under the divisible pool.
Wants cess and surcharges to be capped at 5%.
Karnataka has asked the Commission to abolish “revenue deficit grants” (RDG) by pointing out that several states have done little to earn more than they spend even after getting monetary aid to cover the shortfall.
₹1.15 Lakh Crore for Bengaluru to improve infrastructure

Why Karnataka Deserves More:

Contributes 8.7% to India’s GDP with only 5% of the population.
Ranks 2nd in GST collections.

14th June, 2025

Arogya Avishkara:

Healthcare initiative of the Karnataka Govt for Kalyana Karnataka region.

In collaboration with Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB).
Kalyana Karnataka region includes Bidar, Ballari, Kalaburagi, Koppal, Raichur, Yadgir, and Vijayanagara
The programme was officially launched on June 14, 2025, in Yadgir
Cost of the projects - ₹416.68 crore with 208.94 crores contributed by the KKRDB.
The programme focuses on enhancing healthcare infrastructure by establishing new Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and upgrading existing facilities to address the region's healthcare disparities.

12 new PHCs,

6 new CHCs, and

1 Urban PHC (UPHC),

Upgradation of 16 CHCs across the Kalyana Karnataka region.

It aligns with the vision of the Nanjundappa Committee report, which emphasizes development in health, education, and employment in Kalyana Karnataka.

Additional Initiatives:

Upgradation of 42 hospitals in the region, including new hospital constructions.
Financial support of ₹1 crore each for upgrading 17 CHCs.
Establishment of an Arogya Soudha to house the District Health and Family Welfare Office, with ₹18 crore from the Health Department and ₹10 crore from KKRDB.
Launch of a ‘Heart Line’ Ambulance service with 48 ambulances (41 Basic Life Support and 7 Advanced Life Support) to address cardiac emergencies in rural areas.
A Human Genome Study and Research Centre in Raichur with ₹48 crore to study malnutrition among children and anemia among women.
A project to provide menstrual cups to girl students to promote menstrual hygiene and reduce cervical cancer risks.

GS - III

Joint study by Child Fund India and the Karnataka State Commission for the Protection of the Child Rights (KSCPCR):

Name of the study - “Online Risks of Children: Focus on Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children”
The study investigated the prevalence and nature of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children (OSEAC) in Karnataka.
The pilot study, conducted from December 2024 to March 2025, covered five districts—Bengaluru Urban, Belagavi, Chikkamagaluru, Raichur, and Chamarajanagar—selected based on crime vulnerability and digital exposure.
Involved 900 school-going children aged 8–18 years, 300 parents, 60 teachers, and 24 out-of-school children, with an urban-rural mix

Key Findings:

Prevalence of Risky Online Behaviors:

One in six teenagers (approximately 16%) reported connecting with strangers online in the past year, driven by social validation and digital popularity.
One in ten children (10%) who connected with strangers online met them in person, with a higher incidence in rural areas (12%) compared to urban areas (9%). Boys (17%) were more likely than girls (4%) to meet strangers offline.
7% of children shared personal information (e.g., full name, phone number, personal photos, home address, or videos) with strangers online.
1% of children (across genders) admitted to sharing intimate photos or videos with online strangers, indicating a severe risk of exploitation.

Platform-Specific Risks:

Among children reporting unsafe or embarrassing online experiences, Instagram was the most common platform, linked to 77% of cases. This highlights the platform’s role in facilitating risky interactions.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic:

The pandemic significantly increased children’s screen time due to school closures and online learning, leading to unsupervised internet use and heightened exposure to online risks. This trend persisted post-pandemic, amplifying vulnerabilities.

Specific Harms Reported:

Among 44 students affected by OSEAC, 19 reported being bullied, 18 faced sexual coercion, and in 22 cases, parents responded by deleting the child’s social media accounts. However, only 15 reported incidents to law enforcement, indicating underreporting due to stigma or lack of awareness.
15% of children aged 15–18 who befriended strangers online experienced immediate harm, such as coercion or exploitation.

Low Digital Safety Awareness:

Only 20% of children (including 90% of older teens and younger children using phones/laptops) had attended digital safety sessions.
80% of parents surveyed believed police response to online abuse cases, particularly those involving coercion or exploitation, needed to be more prompt.
Most parents, teachers, and government officials were found to be unequipped to prevent or handle online threats, exacerbating risks.

Trust and Silence Issues:

Many children, like a 14-year-old girl cited in the study, avoided reporting incidents to parents or teachers due to fear of stigma or being blamed. For example, a Class 10 student from Mysuru noted the lack of safe reporting channels, such as school counsellors, to address issues like blackmail with morphed videos.
The study emphasized a “trust and silence problem,” where children hesitated to disclose abuse, and systems failed to proactively engage.

Recommendations:

The study proposed several measures to address OSEAC:

Incorporate digital literacy and online safety into the school curriculum from the primary level, using age-appropriate toolkits.
Encourage open communication between parents and children about online risks and promote community awareness programs.
Use peer-led education and workshops to teach parents, especially in rural areas, about monitoring children’s internet use.
Involve children in designing safer online spaces and creating “Digital Safety Champions” for first-response support.
Establish a Karnataka OSEAC Task Force to oversee prevention and rehabilitation efforts.
Strengthen law enforcement through faster police response, child-friendly police stations, and better implementation of existing mechanisms like the POCSO Act.

Bengaluru Ranks #14 in Global Startup Ecosystem – 2025

Report Global Start-up Ecosystem Report (GSER) 2025 is published by published by Startup Genome.
It has climbed 7 spots from 21st last year to 14th this year!
Among the Indian cities ranked in the report, Bengaluru tops the chart, followed by Delhi in 29th position and Mumbai in 40th.

Bengaluru’s Global Ranking Over the Years:

#14 in 2025
21st in 2024
22nd in 2022
26th in 2020
Bengaluru was ranked number 5 among the Top 50 AI cities globally.
It is ranked in Top 15 in Asia’s Ecosystem in Knowledge.

Bengaluru Ecosystem at a Glance

16,000+ Startups driving innovation
1,500 Venture Capital Firms
2,200 Corporate Venture Investors
17,000 Angel Investors
40% of India’s Unicorns are based in Bengaluru
40% of India’s Global Capability Centers are located here

Reasons for Bengaluru’s 14th Place Ranking in GSER 2025:

High-Value Exits and Unicorn Creation:

Bengaluru saw four major exits exceeding $1 billion in 2024, with Swiggy’s $12 billion IPO being a standout, marking one of India’s largest public listings. These billion-dollar exits significantly boosted the city’s ecosystem value, which reached $136 billion in 2024.
Between 2020 and 2024, Bengaluru produced 32 unicorns (startups valued over $1 billion), showcasing its ability to scale ventures into global contenders.

Strength in Deep Tech and AI:

Bengaluru ranked 5th globally in AI and Big Data ecosystems, reflecting its leadership in cutting-edge technologies. The city’s focus on deep tech and AI-native capabilities has attracted global attention and investment.
Robust activity in fintech, life sciences, and cleantech sectors, supported by talent density and strong infrastructure, further strengthened its position.

Proactive Government Policies and Investments:

The Karnataka government’s “decisive” and “proactive” startup policies were highlighted as critical. In its 2025 budget, the state announced a Fund of Funds initiative and allocated ₹100 crore for deep tech development, fostering innovation.
Initiatives like the Innoverse open innovation platform, Beyond Bengaluru regional startup program, and Nipuna Karnataka skilling program enhanced the ecosystem’s infrastructure and talent pipeline.
The Hypergrowth Global Karnataka program, launched at London Tech Week 2024, supports local companies with global mentors and market access, aiding international expansion.

Rich Talent Ecosystem:

Bengaluru’s world-class tech talent pool was cited as a key driver, with the city being a global leader in affordable and skilled tech talent. This supports sectors like AI, fintech, and deep tech.
The city’s ability to attract and retain talent, combined with programs like Nipuna Karnataka, ensures a steady supply of skilled professionals.

Strong Funding and Market Reach:

Consistent government-led capital interventions and global venture capital inflows have bolstered Bengaluru’s startup ecosystem. The city ranks among the top global ecosystems for funding.
Bengaluru’s startups demonstrated strong market reach, with the ability to scale and compete globally, as evidenced by its high-profile exits and unicorn growth.

Sectoral Resilience and Diversity:

The report emphasized Bengaluru’s deep sectoral strength across AI, fintech, life sciences, and cleantech, which contributed to its resilience and global competitiveness.
The city’s ecosystem showed structural resilience, with consistent growth despite global challenges like a 31% decline in large exits across top ecosystems

‘108’ Arogya Kavacha Ambulance Service Now Under Health Dept

‘108’ Ambulance Service will now be run directly by the Karnataka Health Department. Earlier, it was managed through a private partnership.

Why This Move?

To improve efficiency of emergency services.
To save around ₹250 crore for the State government.

How Will It Work?

A Central Command & Control Centre will be set up at State level.
Managed using 112 NG-ERSS software.
District-level 108 control centres will also be set up.
District Health Officers (DHOs) will oversee operations.
715 ambulances will be managed under this system.
Ambulance drivers and nurses will be hired through outsourcing at the district level.
Chamarajanagar will be the first district to implement this; other districts will follow in phases.
Over 1,000 additional State-owned ambulances will be integrated into the same system.

Expansion of ‘Gruha Arogya’ Scheme Across Karnataka

Budget Approved:

₹185 crore sanctioned for full-State rollout.

What’s the Scheme About?

Started in Kolar district, now being expanded to all districts.
Focus: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like:
Hypertension
Diabetes
Various cancers (14 NCDs total)

Role of Health Workers:

ASHA workers will visit homes:
To create awareness about NCDs.
To guide people aged 30+ to get free screening.
Screenings will be done at:
Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres.
Free medicines will be given to those diagnosed.

Shravana Sanjeevini Programme of Karnataka:

What is the Programme About?

Some children suffer from hearing impairment since birth, a condition that requires specialised treatment often accompanied by a hefty price tag.
To assist financially disadvantaged children struggling with hearing-related issues, the Government introduced the Cochlear Implant Scheme in 2016.
Aims at early detection of hearing issues in children.
Supports cochlear implant surgeries, repairs, and follow-up care for financially disadvantaged individuals

Which Department? - Department of Health and Family Welfare

Recent Changes:

Age Limit for Surgery:
- Cochlear implant not allowed for children below 2 years,
- Except in rare cases approved by an expert committee.
Repairs and Replacements of implants:
- Within 4–6 year warranty period,
- Free repair/replacement of:
- Batteries
- Springs
- Spare parts
- Done at empanelled hospitals.
Processor Replacement Support:
- 50% of cost of replacing faulty processors (within warranty) will be borne by the government.
Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT):
- AVT to be provided until age 3, or longer if needed.
Bilateral Cochlear Implants:
- For children below 18 months:
- If family bears implant cost, government will cover:
- Surgery cost through SAST (Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust).