Karnataka Politics & Governance

High Court asks Mandya officials to consider protecting park land

1 January 2026

The Karnataka High Court directed the Mandya Deputy Commissioner and Pandavapura Sub-Divisional Officer to consider within three months a request to preserve 6 acres and 32 guntas in K.R. Pete for park development. Revenue records identify the land in Survey No. 244 as reserved for a park, and the court said district authorities and local bodies are responsible for protecting land reserved for parks.

Key Facts

• The court cited Section 67 of Karnataka’s 1964 Land Revenue Act when describing Deputy Commissioners’ park-land protection duty.

Second loop of Bengaluru’s Hebbal flyover inaugurated

1 January 2026

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar inaugurated the second loop of Bengaluru’s Hebbal flyover, intended to ease traffic for people travelling to the international airport and northern Bengaluru. He also outlined other proposed transport projects, including the Bengaluru Business Corridor; these were plans, not completed works.

Key Facts

• The Bangalore Development Authority Act empowers the BDA to implement development schemes, including road networks and civic amenities.

NSUI files complaint over alleged BCom examination-paper leak

2 January 2026

The NSUI filed a complaint at Bengaluru’s High Grounds police station alleging that the BCom fifth-semester Advanced Accounting examination paper had circulated on WhatsApp before the examination. The organisation sought an investigation and action against those responsible; claims of a leak and any involvement of college or university staff remain allegations.

Key Facts

• NSUI is the Indian National Congress’s student wing.

Karnataka releases CET guide and announces 2026 test dates

2 January 2026

Karnataka released a Common Entrance Test (CET) guide intended to help students, particularly those from rural backgrounds, navigate applications and counselling. Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar said about 3.75 lakh copies had been printed for distribution to PU, CBSE and ICSE colleges. The 2026 CET was scheduled for 23 and 24 April, with the Kannada language test for border-area candidates set for 22 April.

Key Facts

• CET’s one-time registration lets candidates reuse their data for multiple examinations, entering only exam-specific details.

Bhadra Reservoir water releases scheduled for irrigated areas

2 January 2026

Water from the Bhadra Reservoir was scheduled to be released for 120 days to irrigated areas in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Davanagere districts to support summer crops. Releases through the left-bank canal were due to begin on 3 January and those through the right-bank canal on 8 January.

Key Facts

• Bhadra Reservoir serves multiple purposes: irrigation, hydropower generation, drinking-water supply and industrial use.

KSRTC cuts fares on selected premium bus services

5 January 2026

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) reduced fares by 5–15% on selected premium bus services from 5 January. The concession applies to specified routes and services, including Rajahamsa, Airavat and AC sleeper buses, during the January–March off-season; it is not a general reduction across all KSRTC fares.

Key Facts

• KSRTC is Karnataka’s state-owned public road transport corporation, providing bus connectivity within the state and to neighbouring states.

BWSSB uses robotic inspection to repair Bengaluru water pipeline

5 January 2026

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board used robotic inspection to locate contamination in a corroded pipeline serving parts of Lingarajapuram, Bengaluru. The board said it replaced the damaged pipes, supplied water by mobile tankers during repairs and restored regular supply after sample testing indicated the water was fit to drink.

Key Facts

• BWSSB is Bengaluru’s principal government agency for both water supply and sewage disposal.

Cauvery committee schedules V.C. Canal water release

6 January 2026

The Cauvery Irrigation Advisory Committee scheduled rotational water releases into the V.C. Canal from 12 to 30 January to support standing crops in its command area. Farmers were advised to use water judiciously and not sow new crops; the planned release excluded the Turaganur, Hebbakavadi and Nidaghatta branch canals and their connecting canals.

Key Facts

• Beyond irrigation, the Cauvery basin also supplies drinking water and supports hydroelectric power generation.

University of Mysore holds 106th convocation

6 January 2026

The University of Mysore awarded degrees to 30,966 candidates at its 106th annual convocation at Crawford Hall. Women accounted for 18,612 recipients, 449 candidates received PhD degrees, and Governor and university Chancellor Thawar Chand Gehlot presented the degrees.

Key Facts

• Founded ...