Karnataka’s medical education minister Sharan Prakash Patil has renewed a push to scrap NEET-UG starting 2026, arguing the Centre should restore states’ authority to run transparent Common Entrance Tests. He cited the recent NEET question paper leak as a “grave injustice,” accusing central agencies of undermining students’ futures and suggesting the scandal may be aimed at enabling MBBS seat sales. Patil also criticized the CBI’s probe, calling for a court-supervised investigation.
Private bus operators across Karnataka have announced fare hikes of 20–30% on most routes, effective from Friday midnight, after petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs 3 per litre—the first hike in over four years. Operators say the fuel jump, along with higher road taxes and revenue pressure from schemes like Shakti on state buses, will add about Rs 15,000 extra per vehicle each month. They are urging the state to cut cess and road taxes and provide subsidies to avoid service collapse.
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Karnataka has announced an expedited plan for a dedicated drone flight testing facility near Bengaluru, alongside a refreshed drone policy framework. IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge led an industry consultation with regulators and startups to address testing infrastructure, streamlined approvals and public-sector drone adoption. The state is also exploring an annual Bengaluru Drone Festival to spotlight innovation, competitions and real-world use cases.
Karnataka is preparing guidelines to govern how artificial intelligence is used in medical education, with a protocol and standard operating procedure under consideration. The state plans to focus on ethical AI adoption and is evaluating whether AI can be integrated across all affiliated colleges. An Innovation Centre is proposed at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Mysuru. Separately, Karnataka is establishing NIMHANS-model hospitals in Mysuru and Kalaburagi as complaints about mental health have risen sharply.
Karnataka will begin a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on June 30, deploying more than 59,000 Booth Level Officers for door-to-door verification statewide. After training from June 20 to June 29, BLOs will visit households until July 29 to verify voter details, distribute enumeration forms, and update the grassroots electoral roll. Each voter receives two copies of the form, with options to sign or give a thumb impression, and any absent voter can be covered by an adult family member.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over measures asking citizens to save fuel and delay gold purchases, calling the petrol and diesel price hike a “gift” in a “tragic situation.” He said such appeals are unrealistic because people earn and live their lives accordingly. Prices rose Rs 3 per litre for both fuels on Friday—the first increase in over four years—amid retailer losses tied to global crude costs after the West Asia conflict.
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Karnataka’s IT Ministry held a high-level spacetech ecosystem consultation chaired by Minister Priyank Kharge, bringing together startups, academia, industry, HAL and public institutions. The standout plan: a Common Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) facility in the state, using land near Bengaluru and a Public-Private Partnership model. Officials also discussed easier access to existing test infrastructure, manufacturing parks, and Karnataka’s draft Space Policy.
Karnataka, a top high-tax alcohol market, plans to scrap government price controls and move to strength-based excise taxation from April 2026. The shift would let liquor firms set prices and replace tax slabs with a strength-linked structure, potentially altering margins and consumer prices. The move comes as premium liquor demand continues to lift results for players like United Spirits.
Karnataka plans to deepen ties with Chile by expanding cooperation in digital services, startups, and talent exchange. IT/BT minister Priyank Kharge said a high-level meeting with Chilean representatives—headed by foreign affairs minister Francisco Perez Mackenna—focused on innovation-led growth, market access, and mobility of skilled talent. The talks build on a letter of intent signed at the Bengaluru Tech Summit under the Global Innovation Alliance framework. Both sides also discussed renewable energy collaboration, including green hydrogen and sustainable industrial innovation.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah clarified that saffron shawls will not be permitted in schools, covering education up to Class 12. He said existing religious practices such as hijab, turbans, rudraksha beads, and sacred threads can continue. Siddaramaiah also weighed in on the NEET controversy, adding to the political debate around campus regulation of religious symbols.
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Karnataka has reinstated students’ right to wear hijabs in schools and pre-university colleges after an earlier restriction under the BJP government. The new directive allows religious symbols like hijabs and turbans alongside official uniforms, following public demonstrations. The move shifts how religious attire will be handled in campuses, reshaping classroom rules for students across the state.
Karnataka has reversed its 2022 hijab ban, issuing new school guidelines that permit limited religious and traditional symbols such as hijab and the sacred thread. The state says these must not modify or replace the official uniform and should not disrupt discipline, safety norms, or identification of students on campus.
Karnataka’s State Planning Commission is proposing a push to decentralize the tech ecosystem beyond Bengaluru, targeting tier-II and tier-III cities. The roadmap includes Karnataka Innovation Orchestration Centers designed to accelerate deeptech incubation and R&D, aiming to help the state emerge as a global benchmark for technology-driven development.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a counter-attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing the BJP of “betrayal politics” toward its coalition allies. He also turned the spotlight on the party’s internal turmoil in Karnataka, questioning its economic approach and challenging its claims of progress. The exchange raises fresh stakes in the state’s political battle lines.
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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim about a “wobbling” chair in the state, saying the Chief Minister’s position is stable. Shivakumar also paid tribute to Minister D Sudhakar for his district-focused work and inclusive approach. He further reiterated Congress support for TVK in Tamil Nadu to keep the BJP out of power.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has dismissed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim that the Congress party is facing a leadership struggle in the state. Shivakumar said all positions are stable and questioned why the Prime Minister made such an assertion. The exchange raises fresh questions about political narratives ahead of Karnataka’s key developments.
A Karnataka school’s viral Class 1 toppers chart showing near perfect marks has ignited a heated debate online. Many applauded the children’s performance, but a growing chorus warned that ranking and competition at such a young age can create academic pressure. Critics argue early schooling should prioritize play, curiosity, and development over “toppers” culture.
Karnataka’s Minister for Planning and Statistics, D. Sudhakar, has died at 66 after a prolonged illness. Over decades in public service, he earned a reputation as resilient and accessible, maintaining close grassroots ties across changing political landscapes. Tributes now spotlight his dynamism and commitment, as his death leaves a significant void in the state’s governance.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated BJP’s electoral wins across India, pointing to successes in Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal. He attributed the results to nationalistic politics and development, while highlighting the party’s growth in West Bengal and Gujarat. Modi also contrasted these gains with Congress’s long-term electoral decline, framing the victories as a shift in political momentum.
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister D Sudhakar, a senior Congress leader and MLA from Hiriyur, died on Sunday morning at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences. He was 66 and had been battling a lung infection for nearly two months. The hospital’s Medical Director confirmed the death, prompting condolences and political reactions.
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