Karnataka government announces new education quota and flag policies

Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has announced a seven per cent reservation in professional education, including medical and engineering courses, for students who attended government schools in rural areas. This initiative aims to provide greater opportunities for rural students as the state works to upgrade panchayat-level schools to urban standards.

Additionally, the Karnataka government is preparing to grant official status to the red-and-yellow Kannada flag. The state plans to issue an order potentially making it mandatory for private institutions that receive government support to hoist the flag alongside the national flag. The government is currently developing the legal framework and guidelines to ensure the flag is flown with dignity, with further discussions expected during the upcoming Belagavi session.