State PCS - Karnataka (KPSC)

• 16 Apr 2026

Blanka Vlašić Named Ambassador for TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026

Why in News? 

Blanka Vlašić, a double Olympic medallist and former world champion high jumper, has been named the International Event Ambassador for the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026.  

Key Points 

• Announcement: Blanka Vlašić will serve as the International Event Ambassador for the 18th edition of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru. 
  • The event is scheduled to be held on 26th April 2026 in Bengaluru, Karnataka. 
• Event: The race is recognised as a World Athletics Gold Label Race, highlighting its international prestige in road running competitions. 
• Organisers: The event is promoted by Procam International, a leading sports management company known for organising major running events in India. 
• Blanka Vlašić: Blanka Vlašić is one of the most successful high jump athletes in history, having won Olympic silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016. 
• She is also associated with the “Champions for Peace” initiative and also serves as Vice-President of the Croatian Olympic Committee. 

Read More: Olympic 

Karnataka HC Mandates Strict Implementation of Menstrual Leave Policy

Why in News? 

The Karnataka High Court on 15 April, 2026, directed the State government to "strictly and faithfully" implement its menstrual leave (ML) policy. The court emphasized that the right to menstrual leave is a facet of the Right to Life under Article 21 and is rooted in the dignity and bodily autonomy of women.  

Key Points 

• Universal Coverage: Justice M. Nagaprasanna directed that the policy must be operationalized across all sectors, including the vulnerable unorganised workforce (e.g., daily wage labourers, hotel staff, and small shops). 
  • Interim Enforcement: Pending the formal enactment of the Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025, the State must issue specific guidelines and administrative instructions to ensure uniform compliance. 
  • No Undue Delay: Upon the eventual passage of the 2025 Bill, the State is mandated to frame rules immediately to give full effect to the statutory mandate.  
• Beyond Article 14: The court rejected "misplaced apprehensions" that such a policy violates the Right to Equality. It observed that acknowledging biological distinctions between men and women provides substantive meaning to equality rather than transgressing it. 
  • Dignity vs. Privilege: The bench stated that menstrual leave is not a "plea for privilege" but an assertion of dignity and fair treatment within the spaces women inhabit. 
• Background and Scope of Policy: The current notification applies to women employees aged 18 to 52 years. 
  • Leave Entitlement: The existing policy mandates one day of paid leave per month (restricting to 12 days annually) for permanent, contract, and outsourced employees in registered establishments. 
  • The Petitioner: The ruling followed a plea by a daily wage worker at a hotel in Belagavi who highlighted the severe physical toll of menial labour during menstruation.  
• Legislative Context and Debate:The upcoming Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025 seeks to expand benefits to include two days of paid monthly leave, work-from-home options, and a 2% attendance relaxation for students. 

Read More: Right to Life 

C-DAC Launches ‘e-SafeHER’ Cyber Security Awareness Programme

Why in News? 

The ‘e-SafeHER’ Cyber Security Awareness Training Programme has been launched to enable one million women across rural India to safely participate in the digital ecosystem. 

Key Points 

• Launch: The initiative has been launched by C-DAC Hyderabad, a scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in collaboration with Reliance Foundation.  
• Objective: The programme aims to build cyber security awareness among women in rural India, enabling them to safely engage in digital activities such as financial transactions, livelihoods and access to online services. 
  • The initiative aims to empower one million “Cyber Sakhis” across rural India over the next three years. 
• Programme: The initiative is anchored under the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Programme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. 
• Implementation: 
  • C-DAC Hyderabad will develop and localise cybersecurity training materials. 
  • Reliance Foundation will facilitate outreach and training through women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural communities. 
  • The programme will initially begin with training Cyber Sakhis in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. 

Read More: C-DAC,  Cyber security, Self-Help Groups (SHGs)