4th, 5th, 6th and 7th July, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

4th July, 2025

Futuristic airport city is being developed within the KIA premises

• within the premises of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Devanahalli, approximately 40 km north of Bengaluru

• 463 acres

• The development is guided by the principles of "work, play, live, learn, and create" and is expected to unfold over the next decade.

Key Features of Bengaluru Airport City:

Business Parks:

• Plans include 28 million sq. ft. of business parks, with Phase 1 comprising 2 million sq. ft., of which 0.5 million sq. ft. is under construction.

• A Global Innovation Hub (District I) will integrate global capability centers (GCCs), IT service providers, startups, accelerators, corporate labs, venture capital firms, academia, and public institutions to foster innovation and collaboration.

Education and Health District:

• Dedicated areas for educational institutions and healthcare facilities to support the community and workforce within the airport city.

Retail, Dining, and Entertainment (RDE) Village:

• A vibrant retail and dining hub to cater to passengers, visitors, and employees.

• A Concert Arena, designed in collaboration with Live Nation USA, with a capacity of 10,000 and world-class acoustics, will be a major attraction.

• A Convention and Exhibition Centre is also planned to host large-scale events.

Hospitality:

• A 775-room Combo Hotel (450-room Vivanta and 325-room Ginger) is under construction and expected to be operational by October 2026.

• Long-term plans include up to 5,200 accommodation units (equivalent to 52 hotels), addressing the growing demand for hospitality.

Logistics and Innovation:

• A Logistics Park to support airport-related operations and regional trade.

• Operational facilities include SATS Central Kitchen (producing 170,000 meals daily since March 2024) and a 3D technology facility.

• An EV Research and Development (R&D) facility by Epsilon Carbon is under development.

Green and Sustainable Design:

• The Airport City emphasizes sustainability, with a Central Park and a Greenway linking various assets, promoting transit-oriented development.

• The project draws inspiration from Bengaluru’s “Garden City” heritage, integrating green spaces and eco-friendly infrastructure.

Connectivity:

• Enhanced connectivity through the Airport Metro, Suburban Rail, and a proposed Hyperloop.

• The Eastern Tunnel Access Road will reduce travel time from Whitefield by 30%, with a budget of ₹200 crore and completion expected in three years.

• The BLR Metaport, launched in December 2022, offers a virtual 3D experience of Terminal 2, developed with Amazon Web Services and Polygon.

Inspiration and Planning:

• The master plan was inspired by global airport cities like Incheon International Airport (Seoul), Munich International Airport, and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, focusing on land-use mix, mobility, and infrastructure best practices.

• The project is managed by Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

Timeline and Progress:

• Phase 1 is set to open by 2025, despite delays caused by the pandemic.

• The Combo Hotel and other key facilities are expected by October 2026.

• Full development is projected to span the next decade, aligning with KIA’s goal to handle 100 million passengers annually by expanding terminals and infrastructure, with a USD 2 billion master plan.

300 acres of forest restored to Bukkapatna sanctuary

• It is a Chinkara (Indian gazelle) Wildlife Sanctuary

• Located in Tiptur, Tumakuru.

• It was notified in 2019

• Dry, thorny scrub forest

• Apart from chinkaras, the sanctuary is home to black bucks, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, leopard, striped hyena and Indian wolf.

06th July, 2025

Aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Devanahalli, Bengaluru:

• Developed by Karnataka Industrial Development Board

• Near Kempegowda International Airport

Key Features

Infrastructure:

• The SEZ offers state-of-the-art facilities, including manufacturing units, research and development (R&D) centers, testing and certification labs, and a high-speed data network. It also includes an airfield for ground handling, aircraft maintenance, and fueling, allowing companies to test products on-site.

Specialized Ecosystem:

• Designed specifically for aerospace, aviation, and defense, the SEZ supports manufacturing, assembly, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations. It fosters collaboration between companies, research institutions, and academia to drive innovation.

Government Support:

• The Karnataka government provides incentives like tax benefits and export-oriented policies to attract investment. The SEZ is part of Karnataka’s aerospace policy, the first of its kind in India, aiming to make the state a leader in aerospace manufacturing, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of India’s aerospace industry.

Economic Impact:

• The SEZ has created thousands of jobs for skilled professionals in engineering, manufacturing, and allied services, boosting economic growth in North Bengaluru. It has also increased demand for residential and commercial real estate in the region.

Major Companies

The SEZ hosts global giants and Indian firms, including:

• Boeing: Operates a 43-acre engineering and technology campus, its largest facility outside the U.S., inaugurated in 2024 with a ₹1,600 crore investment.

• Airbus: Engages in manufacturing and R&D activities.

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Focuses on aircraft manufacturing and maintenance, including a joint venture with Safran for aircraft engines.

• Thyssenkrupp Aerospace India Pvt Ltd: Manufactures aerospace components.

• Pranavam Aerospace: Provides advanced aerospace services with modern facilities.

• Safran HAL Aircraft Engines Pvt Ltd: Specializes in aircraft engines and maintenance.

• Dynamatic Technologies: Operates a 27-acre facility for aerospace components, inaugurated in 2017.

• Collins Aerospace: Developing the Goodrich Campus for aerospace systems.

• Other notable companies: BEML, Centum Electronics, Starrag India, SASMOS HET Technologies, and Wipro Infrastructure Engineering.

Millet and cold-pressed oil products benefitted the most in Karnataka under the Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme

What is Prime Minister Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme?

• Launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in June 2020.

• It aims to enhance the competitiveness of micro food processing units in the unorganized sector, promote their formalization, and support inclusive growth.

• The scheme is operational from 2020-21 to 2025-26 (extended by one year) with a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore.

• The funding is shared between the Central and State Governments in a 60:40 ratio (90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan states).

• It also has One District One Product (ODOP) approach to scale procurement, processing, and marketing of district-specific products.

7th July, 2025:

Nor just Child Marriage, now even engagements of children will be punishable: Draft Prohibition of Child Marriage Bill, 2025

• Child Marriage in Karnataka: Despite being a progressive state, Karnataka has recorded high numbers of child marriages, with 8,348 cases reported over the past three years (up to 2024), including 706 in 2023 alone, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data. Districts like Ballari, Kolar, and Shivamogga are particularly affected

• Previous Amendments: Karnataka was the first state in India to declare child marriages void in 2016, following recommendations from the Justice Shivaraj Patil Committee in 2010. The 2025 bill continues this progressive stance by addressing gaps in enforcement and prevention.

Key Features of the Draft Bill:

Criminalization of Engagement and Preparations:

• The bill proposes to make not only the child marriage but also engagements and preparations for such marriages, like engagement, punishable offenses.

Stricter Penalties:

• prison term up to two years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Steps Taken in Karnataka to Prevent Child Marriages

Karnataka has implemented several measures to curb child marriages, driven by legislative, administrative, and community-based efforts. Below are the key steps:

Strengthening Legal Framework:

• Karnataka amended the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006, making child marriages automatically void, an imp move lauded by the Supreme Court.

• The state has appointed 59,000 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (CMPOs) to monitor and prevent child marriages at the grassroots level.

Incentive Programs:

• The state government offers a ₹50,000 reward to gram panchayats that significantly reduce or eliminate child marriages, encouraging local governance to take proactive measures.

Awareness and Education Campaigns:

• The Women and Child Development Department runs awareness programs, including street plays, rallies, and seminars, to educate communities about the harms of child marriage.

• The CHILDLINE helpline (1098) is promoted for reporting child marriage attempts, enabling swift intervention.

• Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sabla educate adolescent girls about their legal rights, including the PCMA (Prevention of Child Marriage Act).

• Sex education and awareness about social evils are proposed to be mandatory in schools and colleges.

Inter-Departmental Coordination:

• Seven departments, including Women and Child Development, Home, Health, Education, and Panchayat Raj, collaborate to prevent child marriages.

• Local teams, including anganwadi workers and teachers, are involved in monitoring and reporting at the gram panchayat level.

• District and taluk-level committees have been established to address and prevent child marriages.

Interventions and Legal Action:

• Between April and September 2024, Karnataka recorded 1,624 child marriage complaints, preventing 1,280 marriages and filing FIRs in 295 cases.

• Swift interventions, such as in Karuvarakundu, where 10 child marriages were prevented following a CHILDLINE distress call, demonstrate proactive enforcement.

• Courts have issued interim injunctions to stop child marriages, with notable cases like Nilambur preventing 12 marriages in a single day.

Focus on Education and Empowerment:

• Initiatives aim to keep girls in school, as education is a proven strategy to prevent child marriage.

• The Karnataka Child Rights Observatory has urged the government to extend free and compulsory education for girls up to age 18.

• Community mobilization, including engaging faith-based leaders and village-level Child Protection Committees, promotes girls’ education and discourages early marriage.

Monitoring and Data-Driven Action:

• The Surakshini portal is used for regular monitoring and rescue operations, as seen in Bagalkot district.

• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has pushed for mapping schools and identifying at-risk children (e.g., dropouts) to prevent potential marriages.

‘Child Helpline — 1098’ to be written on school walls

• The Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) has ordered widespread dissemination of the Child Helpline number 1098, which provides 24/7 emergency services to children, in schools and colleges

Challenges in Preventing Child Marriages

Despite these efforts, Karnataka faces significant challenges in eradicating child marriages:

High Prevalence:

• Karnataka recorded 8,348 child marriages over three years (2021–2023), second only to Tamil Nadu, with 706 cases in 2023 alone.

• In 2022, Karnataka reported 215 child marriages, constituting 21.4% of India’s total. Districts like Chitradurga, Shivamogga, and Mysuru have high rates, with 49, 46, and 36 marriages occurring in 2024, respectively.

Socio-Economic Factors:

• Poverty and economic challenges force families to marry off daughters early, viewing marriage as a means of economic security.

• School dropouts, particularly among girls, increase vulnerability to early marriage due to lack of interest in education or financial constraints.

• Single parenthood, family instability, and parental illness or disability exacerbate the issue.

Cultural and Social Norms:

• Deeply ingrained traditions and societal expectations pressure families to marry girls early, especially in rural and disadvantaged communities (e.g., villages, tribal areas, and slums).

• Suspicion and mistrust of girls’ abilities and potential perpetuate gender inequality, reinforcing child marriage practices.

Parental Non-Compliance:

• Between January 2022 and April 2024, 356 out of 990 child marriage attempts proceeded despite interventions, with parents defying legal orders.

• Lack of legal awareness among families hinders enforcement efforts.

Coordination and Implementation Gaps:

• Poor coordination among departments has historically hindered efforts to end child marriages.

• In some districts, like Chitradurga, a high number of marriages still occur despite complaints, indicating enforcement challenges.

Regional Disparities:

• Child marriages are more prevalent in rural areas and districts like Ballari, Kolar, Shivamogga, and Chitradurga, where access to education, economic opportunities, and social services is limited.

Adolescent Pregnancies and Health Risks:

• Child marriages contribute to high adolescent pregnancy rates, with young girls facing health risks like complications during childbirth. This creates a vicious cycle that is difficult to break.

Bengaluru to get 4,500 electric buses under the Union government’s PM e-Drive scheme:

What is PM e-Drive scheme?

• The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme

• Launched in 2024

• Ministry of Heavy Industries

• ₹10,900 crore

• It replaced earlier programs like FAME-II and subsumes the Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024, focusing on electrifying public and commercial transport while fostering a robust EV ecosystem

• Promote Electric Mobility: Accelerate EV adoption to achieve a 30% EV penetration target by 2030, aligning with India’s net-zero emissions goal by 2070.

• Strengthen EV Manufacturing: Foster an efficient, competitive, and resilient EV industry through a Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) to support Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

• Develop Charging Infrastructure: Address range anxiety by establishing a widespread network of Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS).

• Incentives are provided for purchasing electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws), e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging EV categories.

• 14,028 e-buses: Targeted for nine major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad) with populations over 4 million.

MedLEaPR Portal implemented in Karnataka:

• An online portal developed by National Informatics Centre, to issue Medico Legal Certificates (MLCs) and Post-Mortem Reports (PMRs) from hospitals in a quick and efficient way.

• To streamline the medico legal work, make it hassle-free, and ensure accountability.

The Yelahanka Combined Cycle Power Plant (YCCPP)

• Karnataka’s first Natural gas-based power plant, located in Yelahanka, Bengaluru

• Inaugurated September 2024

• It has a capacity of 370 MW.

• Built by Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL)

• Since its inception, it has helped in meeting Bengaluru’s peak summer demand and supplying surplus power to the southern regional grid.

What is a Combined Cycle Power Plant?

• A Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) is a type of power generation facility that uses both gas and steam turbines to produce electricity, maximizing efficiency. It works in two stages:

Gas Turbine Cycle:

• Natural gas (or another fuel) is burned to power a gas turbine, which generates electricity. The hot exhaust gases from this process are not wasted but captured.

Steam Turbine Cycle:

• The exhaust gases heat water in a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), creating steam. This steam drives a steam turbine, producing additional electricity.

• By combining these cycles, a CCPP achieves higher efficiency (typically 50-60%) compared to single-cycle plants (like gas-only or coal plants), which lose more energy as heat.

• It’s also cleaner, emitting less carbon dioxide per unit of electricity, especially when using natural gas.

• The Yelahanka Combined Cycle Power Plant, for example, uses this setup to generate 370 MW, with 236.825 MW from the gas turbine and 133.225 MW from the steam turbine.

Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains