9th and 10th July, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು, ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ

9th July, 2025

The Quantum India Bengaluru Summit (QIB) 2025

• India’s first large-scale summit dedicated to quantum research, technologies, and business, scheduled to take place on July 31–August 1, 2025

• Organized by the Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society (KSTePS), Department of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka, in collaboration with the IISc Quantum Technology Initiative (IQTI)

• Theme: Shaping India’s quantum future through collaboration, innovation, and commercialization

• The event aligns with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025, marking 100 years since the development of quantum mechanics.

Objectives

QIB 2025 is designed to:

• Foster Collaboration: Bring together global quantum leaders, researchers, industry pioneers, and policymakers to drive synergy in quantum science and technology.

• Showcase Innovations: Highlight breakthroughs in quantum computing, communication, sensing, and materials through keynote sessions, panel discussions, and industry presentations.

• Inspire Young Talent: Motivate students, researchers, and startups to engage with quantum technologies and contribute to India’s quantum ecosystem.

• Position Bengaluru as a Quantum Hub: Leverage Bengaluru’s existing tech ecosystem (IT, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and startups) to establish it as the “Quantum City” of the future.

• Promote Commercialization: Facilitate B2B meetings, industry roundtables, and networking to drive quantum technology adoption and investment.

• Align with National Goals: Support India’s National Quantum Mission by promoting research, skill development, and industry-academia partnerships.

‘Kalaloka’ Stall Will be Opened in KIA:

• The ‘Kalaloka’ stall is a new initiative by the Karnataka government to showcase and sell the state’s heritage products at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru.

• The first Kalaloka stall will be located at Terminal 2 of KIA and is scheduled to be inaugurated in September 2025

• The 130-square-meter stall will feature six signature state-run products and 28 Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged items, including Mysuru Silk, KSDL’s Sandal Soap, coffee, Lidkar products, handicrafts, and handwoven goods.

What is The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)?

• Statutory body created under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

• Operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

• Its primary role is to advise the central government on matters related to the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes, such as industrial projects, mining, infrastructure development, and other activities.

• The FAC considers proposals involving the diversion of forest land exceeding five hectares. For smaller areas, state governments may have delegated authority, but larger projects require central approval through the FAC.

• It is headed by a senior official from the MoEFCC

• It is an advisory body, meaning its recommendations are not binding.

Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) study finds Bengaluru to safe city for Migrants

• 96% of migrant workers from the northeast feel safe in the city and hailed Bengaluru as a migrant friendly city.

• There are Opportunities for jobs along with good climate, friendly and accommodative people.

• There is less discrimination and racism

• Good work culture, safety, easy access and good food

10th July, 2025

'Yes Bengaluru' challenge

• YES Bengaluru is a global initiative by Deloitte and World Economic Forum, launched on July 8, 2025, to support innovators and startups in addressing Bengaluru’s urban challenges like air and noise pollution, solid waste management, sewage treatment, and traffic congestion, among others.

• Objective: Foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable urban solutions over three years, not a traditional competitive challenge. To make Bengaluru sustainable and liveable for future generations.

Focus Areas:

• Urban mobility

• Green energy

• Water conservation

• Waste management

• Such a programme was earlier conducted in San Francisco, which was successful.

• An MOU in this regard was signed during KEONICS road show in the US

• Karnataka has received a total investment of Rs 7,100 crore from electronic systems design and manufacturing (ESDM) companies and global capacity centres (GCCs) during the recent US roadshow by a state delegation.

What is KEONICS?

• Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS)

• Established in 1976, is an ISO 9001:2015 certified organization dedicated to promoting electronics and IT industries in Karnataka.

• HQ - Bengaluru

Key Objectives and Activities:

Infrastructure Development:

• KEONICS pioneered Asia’s first Electronic City in Bengaluru, attracting global companies like HP, Siemens, Wipro, Infosys, and Motorola.

• It collaborates with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) to develop IT estates, provide connectivity, and administer export-oriented schemes.

• KEONICS is expanding IT parks in tier-2 cities like Hubli, Gulbarga, Belgaum, Mysore, Shimoga, and Mangalore.

• A proposed RK Baliga Electronics City in Mangaluru aims to honor the first KEONICS chairman and boost regional tech development.

IT Education and Services:

• Operates 289 IT Education & Services (ITES) centers across Karnataka, located in hobli, taluka, and district headquarters, to spread IT literacy.

• Provides IT training, networking, hardware maintenance, and website development through an in-house team.

e-Governance and IT Solutions:

• Since diversifying into IT in 1990, KEONICS offers ERP solutions, web portals, software development, IT consultancy, and networking.

• Implements e-governance initiatives, such as an IT Excellence Centre in Arunachal Pradesh and e-procurement for Bihar.

• Projects include automatic driving test tracks and networking emission test centers in Karnataka.

Manufacturing and Joint Ventures:

• Established a TV manufacturing unit in Peenya, Bengaluru, and a wireless communication equipment division with Marconi Communications UK.

• Formed joint ventures with companies like Yokogawa Blue Star and Krone Communications.

Human Resource and Consultancy:

• Manages ICT human resource services, with tenders for empanelment of agencies to provide skilled professionals.

• Offers consultancy services, including transaction advisory for land monetization and destination development strategies.

Notable Achievements:

• Conducted exhibitions like ELCOMEX to promote electronics products.

• Played a pivotal role in making Bengaluru the "Silicon Valley of India" through the Electronic City.

• Actively supports startups and MSMEs through tenders for ICT services.

Recent Initiatives (2024-2025):

• KEONICS has issued tenders for:

• Empanelment of agencies for ICT human resource services (closing May 13, 2025).

• Selection of consultancy firms for destination development strategies for KSTEPS (closing May 5, 2025).

• Brand management agency appointment (closing April 22, 2025).

• ICT services for startups/MSMEs (closing December 31, 2024).

Rising Temperatures in in Bengaluru is due to increase in built up area:

• This is the conclusion of the study “study titled Urban Heat Island Linkages with the Landscape Morphology”

• The study reveals a 1,078% increase in Bengaluru’s urban (built-up) area over five decades, from 7.97% of the city’s landscape in 1973 to 87.64% in 2025.

• This translates to approximately 90% of the city being covered by concrete surfaces, such as buildings, roads, and other infrastructure.

• The city’s vegetation cover decreased by 88%, dropping from 68% in the 1973 to just 6% by 2025.

• Water bodies saw a 79% reduction

• Bengaluru’s mean air temperature has risen significantly, from 16–18°C in the 1970s to 34°C in 2025 (based on May temperatures).

• The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is pronounced, with 15.41 sq. km of the city experiencing very high temperatures due to dense construction and minimal greenery.

Contributing Factors:

• Unplanned Urbanization: The study highlights that Bengaluru’s growth has been largely uncontrolled, with real estate development prioritizing concrete over green spaces.

• Loss of Heat Sinks: The decline in vegetation and water bodies has reduced the city’s ability to retain moisture and cool the microclimate. Areas with lakes and greenery are at least 2°C cooler than built-up zones.

• Glass-Façade Buildings: These are unsuitable for Bengaluru’s tropical climate, trapping heat and increasing local temperatures.

• Increased Concrete Surfaces: These absorb and re-emit heat, exacerbating the UHI effect.

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has introduced new rules to make it easier for people to install solar power plants and promote clean energy.

Allowing Solar Panels in Open Spaces:

• Before, people could mainly install solar panels on the roofs of their homes or buildings under a program called Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic (SRTPV). The word photovoltaic means technology that converts sunlight into electricity using solar panels.

• Now, KERC allows solar panels to be set up in open areas, not just on rooftops. For example, you can install them in places like:

• Carports (covered parking areas for cars or cycles).

• Elevated structures (panels raised above the ground on supports).

• Facade-integrated panels (panels built into the walls of a building).

• This is great for people who don’t have enough space on their roofs or whose roofs aren’t suitable for solar panels. However, these installations must follow local building bylaws, which are rules set by local authorities about construction and land use.

Renaming SRTPV to Distributed Solar PV (DSPV):

• KERC has changed the name of Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic (SRTPV) systems to Distributed Solar Photovoltaic (DSPV) systems.

• The term distributed means the solar power is generated close to where it’s used, like in homes, offices, or small businesses, instead of at a large, central power plant far away.

• The name change reflects that solar panels can now be installed in more places, not just rooftops, making it a more flexible system.

How People Benefit:

• Net Metering: This is a system where the electricity your solar panels produce is measured. If you generate more electricity than you use, it goes to the power grid, and you get credits to reduce your electricity bill.

• Gross Metering: In this system, all the electricity your solar panels produce is sent to the grid, and you get paid for it at a fixed rate, regardless of how much electricity you use.

KERC has also introduced two new options:

• Virtual Net Metering (VNM): This allows a group of people, like neighbors or businesses, to share one solar system. Even if the solar panels aren’t on their property, they can still get credits to lower their electricity bills. It’s like a community sharing the benefits of one solar setup.

• Group Net Metering (GNM): If one person owns multiple properties, they can install a solar system at one location and use the electricity credits to reduce bills for their other properties.

The smallest size for these solar systems is 5 kilowatts (kW), which is a measure of how much power the system can produce (enough to power a small household’s appliances).

Simplifying the Process:

• For smaller solar systems (up to 150 kW, which could power a larger home or small business), people using electricity for personal use (like households) don’t need to sign a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA is a legal contract between the person generating electricity and the electricity company, outlining how the power will be sold or used.

• If someone moves to a new home or building within the same electricity provider’s area, they can continue using their existing solar agreement without starting over.

For More Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains, Click Here