28th, 29th and 30th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

28th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

To read it in Kannada, Click Here

Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Programme (CMIDP):

• Announced in State Budget for 2025-26. It was decided to spend Rs. 8000 crore for this Programme.

• Rs 3,000 crore has been set aside this year

• Funds are designated for infrastructure projects in minor irrigation, roads, and urban infrastructure across all Assembly constituencies in the state.

• Legislators are encouraged to submit proposals for the release of funds based on the specific infrastructure needs of their constituencies.

• The Chief Minister retains discretionary powers to release funds, allowing flexibility in prioritizing constituencies.

• Out of the total funds released to any constituency, 75% funds are tied to developing infrastructure like roads and bridges. The remaining 25% is for the MLA to decide. The works worth 75% will be those recommended by MLAs, but confined to parameters laid down by the finance department. The 25% funds can deviate from the parameters.

• DC led committee will design and implement the recommended projects in every district. DC will approve projects upto Rs. 10 cr. More than that requires cabinet’s approval.

• All works under the Programme must be done through tender.

Miyawaki forests with high density planting will be established in 4 locations in Bengaluru - Kudlu in Bommanahalli, Singapura in Yelahanka, Ambedkar Park in Dasarahalli, and Sadashivanagar.

What is Miyawaki forest?

A Miyawaki forest is a small, dense forest created using a special method developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

• Native Plants: Only trees and plants that naturally grow in the area are used, so they suit the local soil and climate.

• Dense Planting: Many different species (usually 20-30 types) are planted very close to each other—about 3-5 trees per square meter. This encourages them to grow faster as they compete for sunlight.

• Soil Preparation: The soil is enriched with organic matter to make it healthy and help plants grow strong.

• Quick Growth: These forests grow 10 times faster than regular plantations and become self-sustaining in 2-3 years, needing no care after that.

• Benefits: They create a rich ecosystem, attract birds and insects, improve air quality, store carbon, and cool the area.

In short, a Miyawaki forest is a fast-growing, eco-friendly mini-forest that brings nature back to cities or degraded lands using local plants.

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru wins Nadaprabhu Kempegowda International Award

• For its significant contributions to Karnataka’s progress.

• It has helped in driving sustainable development and economic growth within the state.

• It recognises its commitment to nurturing local culture, supporting community initiatives, and promoting overall progress, aligning with Nadaprabhu Kempegowda’s visionary foresight.

The Karnataka govt appointed 5 new members to the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes:

Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (KSCBC) Explained

• The KSCBC was constituted under the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1995 with effect from 01.12.1997

• A statutory body

• The establishment of such commissions aligns with Article 340 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates the state to investigate the conditions of backward classes and recommend measures for their welfare

• The Commission typically consists of a Chairperson and 5 Members appointed by the Government of Karnataka.

• Chairperson - who is or was a judge of a HC or eligible to be appointed as the judge of a HC or a Social Scientist.

• Members - five persons, who have special knowledge in matters relating to Backward Classes, of whom one shall be a social scientist, nominated by the State Government.

• The Chairman and Members hold office for a term specified by the State Government (not exceeding three years).

• They are eligible for reappointment.

• The salaries, allowances, and other service conditions of the Chairman and Members are prescribed by the State Government.

• They can be removed by the State Govt or they can resign by writing to the state govt.

• The commission has powers of a civil court.

• The commission submits annual report to the state govt. The state govt shall place the report, along with a memorandum explaining the action taken on the report, in the state legislature.

Tiger deaths in Malemahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (MM Hills): Shortcomings in wildlife conservation in Karnataka:

• Inadequate Patrolling and Surveillance - The tiger carcasses were found just 800-900 meters from an anti-poaching camp and 100 meters from a road, yet went undetected for days. This points to a severe lapse in surveillance, with reports suggesting that forest staff were unaware of the incident until it was reported externally

• Insufficient use of technology like GPS-based apps and infrared cameras, allowed the poisoning to go unnoticed.

• Functionaries - There is a severe shortage of forest guards, forest watchers and other staff. Many staff are actually are on contract through private agencies. These private agencies have not paid basic salaries to their employees.

• Funds - Many staff have complained of non payment of salaries for months. This lack of morale and accountability weakened on-ground protection efforts, making it easier for villagers to carry out retaliatory acts like poisoning.

• Escalating Human-Wildlife Conflict - The poisoning was a retaliatory act by villagers whose cattle were killed by the tigress, reflecting the intense human-wildlife conflict in MM Hills. Karnataka’s high tiger population (563, second-highest in India) has increased encounters between tigers and local communities, particularly in areas like Chamarajanagar, where villagers depend on grazing livestock in forest areas. Reports highlight that the forest department has failed to implement effective conflict mitigation strategies, such as timely compensation for cattle losses or creating buffer zones to reduce livestock grazing in tiger habitats.

• Delayed Upgradation to Tiger Reserve Status - MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has long been proposed for tiger reserve status, which would enhance funding, staffing, and conservation measures. However, the proposal, approved in 2019, has been stalled due to opposition from tribal communities and villagers concerned about restricted forest access.

• Lack of Community Engagement and Awareness

• Intelligence and Preventive Failures

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will be installed in all Solar power plants in Karnataka:

• Due to lack of sufficient facility to store power produced by solar and wind power plants, despite being power surplus state, Karnataka has been facing power shortage during summers.

• Renewable energy now (July 2025) accounts for 65% of Karnataka’s total power generation.

• Storage ensures grid stability and enables better energy management, especially during periods of demand.

Storage Projects planned —

• 2,000-MW Sharavathi Pumped Storage plant.

• 1,500 MW Pumped Storage plant at Varahi.

• 1,000 MW at Pavagada solar power plant

• 2,000-MW battery storage facility at Rapte.

What is what is pumped storage plant?

A pumped storage plant is a type of hydroelectric power facility designed to store and generate electricity by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations.

How It Works:

Energy Storage (Pumping Phase):

• During periods of low electricity demand (e.g., at night or when renewable energy production is high), excess electricity from the grid is used to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher reservoir.

• This process converts electrical energy into gravitational potential energy stored in the elevated water.

Energy Generation (Turbine Phase):

• When electricity demand is high, water is released from the upper reservoir back to the lower reservoir through turbines.

• The falling water spins the turbines, which are connected to generators that produce electricity.

Key Features:

• Efficiency: Typically 70-85% efficient, meaning some energy is lost during the pumping and generation process.

• Storage Capacity: Can store large amounts of energy for hours or days, making it ideal for balancing grid fluctuations.

• Renewable Integration: Often used to store excess energy from intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.

• Fast Response: Can start generating power quickly (within minutes), providing grid stability during peak demand or sudden outages.

Applications:

• Grid Balancing: Manages supply and demand fluctuations.

• Peak Shaving: Reduces the need for expensive, polluting fossil fuel "peaking" plants.

• Renewable Support: Stores surplus renewable energy for use when the sun isn’t shining or wind isn’t blowing.

The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP)

• Spans Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts of Karnataka.

• Total power generation(storage) capacity - 2000 MW.

• The Sharavathi River already contributes 40% (1,469.2 MW) of Karnataka’s hydropower through seven existing dams and five tunnels.

• It utilizes two existing reservoirs:

• Talakalale Dam (upper reservoir), which currently supports the existing Sharavathi hydroelectric project.

• Gerusoppa Dam (lower reservoir).

How It Works

The Sharavathi PSHP operates on the principle of pumped storage:

Energy Storage (Pumping Phase):

• During periods of low electricity demand (e.g., nighttime), excess power from the grid is used to pump water from the Gerusoppa reservoir (lower) to the Talakalale reservoir (upper).

• This process stores potential energy in the elevated water.

Energy Generation (Release Phase):

• During peak demand (e.g., daytime or evening), water is released from the upper reservoir back to the lower reservoir.

• As water flows downhill, it passes through reversible Francis pump turbines, which generate electricity.

• The electricity is transmitted to the grid for distribution.

Smart meters must for new connections in BESCOM rural areas:

• Starting July 1, 2025, BESCOM has mandated smart meter installation for all new and temporary electricity connections in rural areas, following guidelines from the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).

What are Smart Meters and How they work?

• Smart meters are advanced electronic devices that digitally measure and record energy consumption (electricity, gas, or water) in real-time or at regular intervals (e.g., every 15–30 minutes).

• Unlike traditional meters, which require manual readings, smart meters enable two-way communication between the consumer and the utility provider, transmitting data automatically for monitoring, billing, and grid management.

• Smart meters are equipped with GPRS/Radio Frequency (RF) - based communication systems

Benefits of Smart Meters

For Consumers:

• Accurate Billing: Eliminates estimated billing by recording exact usage, ensuring fair charges.

• Real-Time Monitoring: Provides detailed consumption data via apps or displays, helping consumers optimize usage and reduce costs.

• Flexible Payment Options: Supports prepaid and post-paid modes, with easy recharge options.

• Time-of-Use (TOU) Tariffs: Encourages off-peak usage with dynamic pricing (high price during peak hour will discourage usage and will shift usage to off peak times when prices will be low), potentially lowering bills.

• Improved Power Quality: Detects outages and voltage fluctuations, reducing downtime in rural areas.

For Utilities (BESCOM):

• Operational Efficiency: Remote reading and disconnection reduce manual labor and travel costs, crucial for rural co-ops with dispersed customers.

• Non-Technical Loss Reduction: Detects energy theft and tampering, addressing losses estimated at $20 billion annually globally.

• Grid Management: Real-time data enables demand response, load balancing, and integration of renewable energy, supporting India’s low-carbon goals.

• Outage Detection: Identifies and resolves power issues quickly, improving reliability in rural areas prone to outages.

Environmental Impact:

• Energy Efficiency: Encourages reduced consumption and supports renewable energy integration, aiding decarbonization.

• Sustainability: Optimizes grid operations, reducing waste and supporting India’s energy transition.

2025 - Study by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Cybercrimes in Karnataka:

• Karnataka has seen a significant surge in cybercrime cases, with approximately 52,000 cases reported over the last four years.

• People in Karnataka lost Rs 2,915 crore in 2024.

• Bengaluru accounts for 20% of all cybercrimes registered in megacities in the country.

• Investment frauds constitute nearly 50% of financial losses (around ₹1,300 crore in 2024), followed by Job Scam and digital arrest scams (e.g., FedEx scams, costing ₹200 crore). Other prevalent crimes include phishing, identity theft, hacking, sextortion, and crimes against women and children, such as cyberstalking and deepfake-related offenses.

• Mule bank account networks are main channels to transfer the money of the victims. Fraudsters now use five to six layers of mule accounts to carry out cybercrimes. Mule accounts are the Heartbeat of Cybercrimes.

What is a Mule Bank Account?

• A mule bank account is a real bank account used to move or hide stolen money.

• It is usually owned by a person (called a money mule), who may or may not know that the account is being used for illegal work.

• Pre verified mule accounts are also sold on Darknets such as Drughub and Abacus. Cybercriminals buy these accounts and then use them to transfer the money.

Step-by-Step: How Cybercriminals Use Mule Accounts

Step 1: Cybercriminals steal money

Criminals use tricks like:

• Phishing emails to get bank details

• Online scams (fake jobs, fake investments)

• Hacking into accounts

• They steal money from victims’ bank accounts.

Step 2: Money goes to a mule account

• Instead of keeping the stolen money in their own account (which is risky),

• Criminals send it to a mule bank account.

Step 3: Mule transfers the money

The money mule (person who owns the mule account) then:

• Transfers the money to another account (often in another country)

• Or withdraws it as cash

• Or buys cryptocurrency

Step 4: The trail becomes hard to trace

• By sending the money through many mule accounts, the original crime is hard to track.

• This process is called money laundering.

Who are Money Mules?

1. Unaware people

• They get tricked through fake job offers or love scams.

• They are told: “Just receive money and send it to someone; you’ll get a commission.”

2. People who know it's wrong, but do it anyway

• They do it for money, even if they know it's illegal.

3. Criminal partners

• They knowingly help the cybercriminals.

Why Cybercriminals Use Mule Accounts

• To hide their identity

• To avoid getting caught

• To move money across borders easily

• To confuse law enforcement by using many accounts

How to Stay Safe

• Never share your bank account or ATM card with strangers.

• Don’t accept jobs or offers that ask you to receive and send money.

• Be careful if someone online asks you to "just help" move money.

Steps Taken in India and Karnataka Against Cybercrimes and Cyber Frauds

National-Level Initiatives (India)

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in):

• Launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This portal allows citizens to report cybercrimes online, with a focus on crimes against women and children. It supports anonymous reporting.

Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C):

• Established under the Ministry of Home Affairs, I4C coordinates efforts among states, enhances capacity building, and promotes awareness.

Legal Framework:

• The Information Technology Act, 2000 (amended 2008) addresses cybercrimes like hacking, identity theft, and phishing, with provisions for global jurisdiction.

• Sections 418, 419, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code are commonly invoked for fraud-related cybercrimes, as seen in landmark cases like the Arif Azim conviction.

Collaboration with Financial Institutions:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) works with police to monitor suspicious transactions and has issued warnings against mule accounts. It emphasizes stricter KYC norms to prevent misuse of banking systems for cyber frauds.

Awareness and Training:

• The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles cybercrime data to inform policy. Programs like the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) promote cybersecurity awareness.

State-Level Initiatives - Karnataka

Establishment of Cyber Command Centre:

• In April 2025, Karnataka became the first state in India to set up a Cyber Command Centre, headed by a Director General of Police (DGP Pronab Mohanty). This unit oversees cybersecurity, cybercrime investigation, and prevention, covering issues like ransomware, deepfakes, and cyber frauds. It integrates 45 cybercrime police stations, including those previously under CID and Bengaluru City Police, for streamlined operations.

Pioneering Cybercrime Police Stations:

• Karnataka established India’s first cybercrime police station in 2001 under the CID in Bengaluru. The state now has Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) police stations at every divisional level in Bengaluru and one in each district, enhancing reporting and investigation capabilities.

Focus on Banking System Regulation:

• Karnataka Police collaborate with banks and the RBI to regulate bank accounts used in frauds.

Public Awareness Campaigns:

• The CID’s Cyber Crime Division runs awareness initiatives, warning against common scams like lottery frauds, OTP phishing, and matrimonial scams.

29th June, 2025: Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

The Swiss Cheese Model for crowd control: How to prevent Stampedes like the recent one in Bengaluru

{ To read notes related to Stampede in Bengaluru during RCB Victory celebration, click Here.

To read about new Karnataka crowd control bill, Click Here }

• It a way to prevent stampedes by using multiple layers of safety measures.

• Imagine a stack of Swiss cheese slices, each with holes in different places.

• Each slice represents a safety step, and the holes are potential weaknesses. By stacking many slices, the holes don’t line up, so risks are blocked.

• In crowd control, this means using several strategies together to keep people safe and prevent a stampede (a dangerous rush of people).

  
  

  Examples of these "layers" include:

  
  

• Planning and Design: Creating wide pathways, clear exits, and barriers to guide crowds smoothly.

• Crowd Monitoring: Using cameras or staff to watch crowd density and spot problems early.

• Communication: Giving clear instructions through signs, speakers, or guides to avoid confusion.

• Staff Training: Preparing security or event staff to manage crowds and respond to emergencies.

• Emergency Plans: Having medical teams, evacuation routes, and quick response systems ready.

• Each layer catches potential issues. For example, if a narrow exit (a "hole" in design) causes a bottleneck, trained staff (another layer) can redirect people to other exits.

• No single layer is perfect, but together, they reduce the chance of a stampede by covering each other’s weaknesses.

GS IV Example -

Lack of Ethics and Integrity among Teachers! How will they inculcate these values in Children?

Recent Report - Lecturers avoid transfers with 'fake' disability certificates of self, dependents

• The Karnataka Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) amended rules in 2024 to exempt following categories from Mandatory Transfer:

• Teachers with benchmark disabilities, and

• Those with dependents having benchmark disabilities.

• This was meant to protect vulnerable groups.

• Several complaints emerged that some teachers are misusing the clause by:

• Submitting fake disability certificates for themselves or their dependents,

• Deliberately delaying updates in official records (EMIS),

• Trying to avoid transfers unfairly.

Bengaluru-based startup “Dognosis” is trying to use dogs to sniff cancer in the early stage:

• Dogs can sniff out tiny changes in the body’s chemicals, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that happen when cancer is present.

• Dognosis trains dogs to smell breath samples from patients and combines their sniffing skills with advanced technology like brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and artificial intelligence (AI).

• Their method is simple: a patient breathes into a special mask, and the sample is sent to a lab where trained dogs sniff it.

• The dogs are taught to signal if they detect cancer, and AI analyzes their behavior to confirm the results.

• Dognosis claims their approach can detect 10 types of cancer with 98% accuracy, even in early stages, which is better than many traditional tests like mammograms or liquid biopsies.

29th June, 2025: Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

Nandini Brand’s rank goes up in “Brand Finance 2025 Rankings”

• It moved up from 43rd to 38th position among the top 100 most valued Indian brands.

• In the Food and Beverages category, Nandini retained its 4th position, following Amul, Mother Dairy-NDDB, and Britannia, and ahead of Dabur

• Brand Finance, the global leader in brand valuation, assesses over 6,000 brands annually using metrics such as brand strength, customer loyalty and market presence

Caterpillar infestation in coconut trees in Karnataka:

• It is a significant pest of coconut palms, causing substantial yield losses in Karnataka and other coconut-growing regions of India.

• Caused by The black-headed caterpillar (Opisina arenosella).

• These Larvae feed on the lower surface of coconut leaves, causing dried, greyish patches and a scorched appearance in severe cases. This reduces photosynthetic capacity, leading to drooping leaves, buckling bunches, premature nut fall, and retarded growth.

30th June, 2025: Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

Gold Tourism in Suvarnagiri (also known as Kanakagiri) range of Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Gadag

• gold-bearing quartz veins

• The region has a long history of gold mining, with evidence suggesting small-scale extraction during ancient times, possibly linked to its significance as a Mauryan and Nayaka administrative center.

• It is believed that the East India Company started gold mining at Kappatagudda in 1900. Post Independence, government agencies such as the Hutti Gold Mining Limited and Bharat Gold Mines Limited were extracting the yellow metal from these areas until 1982.

• The Kappatagudda region, including areas near Suvarnagiri, is part of Karnataka’s gold-rich zones, such as the Hutti Gold Fields (approximately 80 km from Koppal).

Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to chair 88th Sahitya Sammelana in Ballari

• She won 2025 International Booker Prize for ‘Heart Lamp’, a collection of short stories, translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi, became the first Kannada writer to win the coveted prize.

To read more the award and her achievement, Click Here

• She will be the fifth woman to chair the sammelana.

• Since, 1915, only 4 have women have chaired — Jayadevitayi Ligade was the first woman to preside over the Sammelana held in Mandya in 1974. Shantadevi Malawad (Bagalkot-2000). Kamala Hampana (Moodbidri - 2003) and Geeta Nagabhushan (Gadag-2010).

To read more Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains, Click Here

To read in Kannada, Click Here