The government in the southern Indian state of Karnataka has approved its Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026–2031, a five-year policy framework designed to establish the state as a globally competitive, sustainable and well-connected destination for Data Centre investments. According to the Government, the policy seeks to strengthen Karnataka’s digital infrastructure backbone at a time when the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, IoT, 5G, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), FinTech and other emerging technologies is driving unprecedented demand for computing capacity.&nbsp;&nbsp;This Sustainable Data Centre policy is being unveiled at a time when there are growing debates over the water and power consumption, heat-generation, noise-generation pertaining to data centers and their larger environmental impact. Commenting on the need for a Sustainable Data Centre policy, Karnataka's IT and E-Governance Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that Karnataka was among the early states to recognise the importance of data centres and create a policy framework to support their growth.&nbsp;&nbsp;"But the technology landscape has changed significantly, particularly with the rapid growth of AI, and we have also become more conscious of the environmental footprint of this infrastructure. The Sustainable Data Centre Policy is therefore an important course correction, one that allows us to continue attracting the data infrastructure that the digital economy needs, while making sustainability, energy efficiency and responsible use of water central to how we plan and develop this sector.”<h2>'Creating opportunities beyond Bengaluru'</h2>The state Government's policy brings together investment facilitation, digital infrastructure, sustainability and ecosystem development, with a focus on attracting domestic and international investments across the data centre value chain. Further, it seeks to expand data centre infrastructure beyond&nbsp; Bengaluru, strengthening emerging regional digital corridors and supporting Karnataka’s broader beyond Bengaluru vision.&nbsp;“Our objective is not simply to add more capacity, but to build the right capacity, in the right locations and with the right infrastructure. This means greater use of renewable energy, newer cooling technologies, better water management and stronger connectivity, while also creating opportunities beyond Bengaluru. Karnataka has the technology ecosystem and talent to lead India’s next phase of digital infrastructure, and this policy is designed to ensure that this growth is both globally competitive and sustainable,” minister Priyank Kharge added.&nbsp;<h2>Key features and policy implementation roadmap</h2>The Karnataka government has envisaged a ₹1,300.45 crore revised budget framework for implementation of the five-year policy and plans to have 1 GW cumulative Data Centre IT load by 2031, with an ambition to account for 10–12% of India’s AI-ready Data Centre capacity.&nbsp;While the state would take efforts to attract investment across the Data Centre ecosystem, including Data Centre Units, Data Centre Parks, Data Centre Operators, Edge Data Centres, cable landing stations and allied infrastructure, there would be an emphasis on renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, advanced cooling, water management, carbon emission mitigation, and monitoring of Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE).&nbsp;The government would undertake Data Centre Resource Heat Mapping to enable evidence-based planning around water and energy availability and support sustainable site selection. Further, it would offer support for Data Centre development beyond Bengaluru, including emerging regional corridors, helping create a more distributed digital infrastructure ecosystem across the State. Performance-linked sustainability incentives would be provided to encourage efficient power and water usage and the adoption of sustainable operating practices.&nbsp;

This Sustainable Data Centre policy is being unveiled at a time when there are growing debates over the water and power consumption, heat-generation, noise-generation pertaining to data centers and their larger environmental impact

The government in the southern Indian state of Karnataka has approved its Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026–2031, a five-year policy framework designed to establish the state as a globally competitive, sustainable and well-connected destination for Data Centre investments. According to the Government, the policy seeks to strengthen Karnataka’s digital infrastructure backbone at a time when the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, IoT, 5G, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), FinTech and other emerging technologies is driving unprecedented demand for computing capacity. This Sustainable Data Centre policy is being unveiled at a time when there are growing debates over the water and power consumption, heat-generation, noise-generation pertaining to data centers and their larger environmental impact. Commenting on the need for a Sustainable Data Centre policy, Karnataka's IT and E-Governance Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that Karnataka was among the early states to recognise the importance of data centres and create a policy framework to support their growth. "But the technology landscape has changed significantly, particularly with the rapid growth of AI, and we have also become more conscious of the environmental footprint of this infrastructure. The Sustainable Data Centre Policy is therefore an important course correction, one that allows us to continue attracting the data infrastructure that the digital economy needs, while making sustainability, energy efficiency and responsible use of water central to how we plan and develop this sector.” 'Creating opportunities beyond Bengaluru' The state Government's policy brings together investment facilitation, digital infrastructure, sustainability and ecosystem development, with a focus on attracting domestic and international investments across the data centre value chain. Further, it seeks to expand data centre infrastructure beyond Bengaluru, strengthening emerging regional digital corridors and supporting Karnataka’s broader beyond Bengaluru vision. “Our objective is not simply to add more capacity, but to build the right capacity, in the right locations and with the right infrastructure. This means greater use of renewable energy, newer cooling technologies, better water management and stronger connectivity, while also creating opportunities beyond Bengaluru. Karnataka has the technology ecosystem and talent to lead India’s next phase of digital infrastructure, and this policy is designed to ensure that this growth is both globally competitive and sustainable,” minister Priyank Kharge added. Key features and policy implementation roadmap The Karnataka government has envisaged a ₹1,300.45 crore revised budget framework for implementation of the five-year policy and plans to have 1 GW cumulative Data Centre IT load by 2031, with an ambition to account for 10–12% of India’s AI-ready Data Centre capacity. While the state would take efforts to attract investment across the Data Centre ecosystem, including Data Centre Units, Data Centre Parks, Data Centre Operators, Edge Data Centres, cable landing stations and allied infrastructure, there would be an emphasis on renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, advanced cooling, water management, carbon emission mitigation, and monitoring of Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE). The government would undertake Data Centre Resource Heat Mapping to enable evidence-based planning around water and energy availability and support sustainable site selection. Further, it would offer support for Data Centre development beyond Bengaluru, including emerging regional corridors, helping create a more distributed digital infrastructure ecosystem across the State. Performance-linked sustainability incentives would be provided to encourage efficient power and water usage and the adoption of sustainable operating practices.

This Sustainable Data Centre policy is being unveiled at a time when there are growing debates over the water and power consumption, heat-generation, noise-generation pertaining to data centers and their larger environmental impact

Karnataka unveils Sustainable Data Centre Policy for efficient water, power use

A political row has broke out in Karnataka after statement by state's Home Minister Priyank Kharge suggesting that he would resign after students are "lathi-charged." The BJP, who is the Opposition in the state, targeted the minister and said that Congress has been “blatantly exposed.” It began when Kharge was asked about the handling of protests at an examination centre in Vijayapura. Kharge justified police action and said that if examination centre is disrupted then action will be taken to “maintain law and order.” Around 4.54 lakh candidates appeared for the examination. As BJP demanded his resignation, Kharge hit back by referring to the BJP government's handling of NEET and CJP protest in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar and mockingly said that he will resign after lathi-charge.&nbsp;&nbsp;<blockquote>"If you disrupt the examination centre, throw open the gates and dismantle the arrangements, what do you expect us to do? Our responsibility is towards those writing the examination as well. To maintain law and order, we had to take a few people into custody," he said. When asked about resignation demand by BJP, he mockingly said, "I will resign. Let them first go on a 25-day hunger strike. If they don't control, we will carry out a lathi-charge, and then I will resign, just as they did earlier. Why didn't Basavaraj Bommai or Araga Jnanendra resign during the PSI scam?”</blockquote>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jharkhand-protest-5-students-begin-hunger-strike-cm-hemant-soren-s-wife-and-mla-kalpana-breaks-silence-1785834335231">Jharkhand protest: 5 students begin hunger strike, CM Hemant Soren's wife and MLA Kalpana breaks silence</a>&nbsp;As the controversy escalated, Kharge accused sections of the media of selectively clipping his remarks to create a false narrative. He maintained that his comments were directed at the BJP's political protests, not at students, and announced that the Home Department had been asked to investigate those responsible for circulating what he described as "distorted" videos. He also warned of legal action against those spreading misinformation.<blockquote>"The question put to me was: “The BJP and the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, are demanding your resignation over the Vijayapura incident. What do you have to say?” My response was clear: If the BJP is willing to sit on a 25-day hunger strike demanding my resignation, I will consider it. My remarks were directed solely at the BJP’s political theatrics and not at students.”</blockquote>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jharkhand-cm-hemant-soren-breaks-silence-jharkhand-student-protest-on-day-11-cjp-protest-jantar-mantar-1785895655353">'Can't rip open my chest but...': On Day 11 of student protest, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren breaks silence</a><h2>What is the controversy?</h2>Student protests reached Karnataka earlier this week as hundreds of candidates boycotted the Karnataka Police Constable recruitment examination on Sunday (Aug 2) after alleged mismanagement at a centre in Tikota in Vijayapura district. Videos on social media showed students entering the exam centre after breaking the barricades and clashing with cops. Candidates alleged that the question papers, scheduled to be distributed at 10.30 am, were handed out nearly 30 minutes late. They also claimed there were mismatches between the question papers and OMR sheets, while some aspirants received only one of the two. As the confusion surfaced, several students staged a walk out. These students were appearing for the Police Constable exam at Tikota Sharadamba PU College exam centre. The candidates raised slogans against the state government and demanding a fresh examination.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Vijayapura, Karnataka | Tensions flared after students appearing for the Police Constable exam at Tikota Sharadamba PU College exam centre noticed that the number on the OMR sheet given to them did not match the number on the question paper, casuing some students to… <a href="https://t.co/BVeGEFFSWw">https://t.co/BVeGEFFSWw</a> <a href="https://t.co/3bRyBamoYi">pic.twitter.com/3bRyBamoYi</a>&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://x.com/ANI/status/2084109461648822717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What authorities said?</h2>The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) rejected the allegations, clarifying that there is no rule requiring OMR sheet numbers and question paper numbers to match. The authorities at examination center claimed that the candidates left the examination hall carrying question papers and OMR sheets - thus violating Karnataka Examinations Authority rules and were therefore not allowed to re-enter. The written examination was conducted at more than 800 centres across Karnataka for recruitment to 3,991 Civil Police Constable posts.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge faced a political row after his “lathi-charge” remark over calls for his resignation. Kharge said his comments targeted BJP protests, not students, amid a controversy over alleged mismanagement and OMR-question paper discrepancies.

A political row has broke out in Karnataka after statement by state's Home Minister Priyank Kharge suggesting that he would resign after students are "lathi-charged." The BJP, who is the Opposition in the state, targeted the minister and said that Congress has been “blatantly exposed.” It began when Kharge was asked about the handling of protests at an examination centre in Vijayapura. Kharge justified police action and said that if examination centre is disrupted then action will be taken to “maintain law and order.” Around 4.54 lakh candidates appeared for the examination. As BJP demanded his resignation, Kharge hit back by referring to the BJP government's handling of NEET and CJP protest in New Delhi's Jantar Mantar and mockingly said that he will resign after lathi-charge. "If you disrupt the examination centre, throw open the gates and dismantle the arrangements, what do you expect us to do? Our responsibility is towards those writing the examination as well. To maintain law and order, we had to take a few people into custody," he said. When asked about resignation demand by BJP, he mockingly said, "I will resign. Let them first go on a 25-day hunger strike. If they don't control, we will carry out a lathi-charge, and then I will resign, just as they did earlier. Why didn't Basavaraj Bommai or Araga Jnanendra resign during the PSI scam?” Also Read: Jharkhand protest: 5 students begin hunger strike, CM Hemant Soren's wife and MLA Kalpana breaks silence As the controversy escalated, Kharge accused sections of the media of selectively clipping his remarks to create a false narrative. He maintained that his comments were directed at the BJP's political protests, not at students, and announced that the Home Department had been asked to investigate those responsible for circulating what he described as "distorted" videos. He also warned of legal action against those spreading misinformation. "The question put to me was: “The BJP and the Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, are demanding your resignation over the Vijayapura incident. What do you have to say?” My response was clear: If the BJP is willing to sit on a 25-day hunger strike demanding my resignation, I will consider it. My remarks were directed solely at the BJP’s political theatrics and not at students.” Also Read: 'Can't rip open my chest but...': On Day 11 of student protest, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren breaks silence What is the controversy? Student protests reached Karnataka earlier this week as hundreds of candidates boycotted the Karnataka Police Constable recruitment examination on Sunday (Aug 2) after alleged mismanagement at a centre in Tikota in Vijayapura district. Videos on social media showed students entering the exam centre after breaking the barricades and clashing with cops. Candidates alleged that the question papers, scheduled to be distributed at 10.30 am, were handed out nearly 30 minutes late. They also claimed there were mismatches between the question papers and OMR sheets, while some aspirants received only one of the two. As the confusion surfaced, several students staged a walk out. These students were appearing for the Police Constable exam at Tikota Sharadamba PU College exam centre. The candidates raised slogans against the state government and demanding a fresh examination.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge faced a political row after his “lathi-charge” remark over calls for his resignation. Kharge said his comments targeted BJP protests, not students, amid a controversy over alleged mismanagement and OMR-question paper discrepancies.

'Aimed at BJP, not students': Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on 'lathi-charge' remarks amid police exam protest

Karnataka Home Minister once again revived the decade-old contentious question about Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh's registration. In a two-page letter shared on the social media platform X, Kharge questioned RSS's chief Mohan Bhagwat. Kharge congratulated RSS on completing 100 years and pointed out that the organisation has a significant presence in Karnataka, with over 60,000 shakhas and affiliated activities across the state. So it should register itself, disclose its finances, funding sources and constitutional compliance.&nbsp;RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, responding to the demand, called it politically motivated. He said that RSS is a “body of individuals” and is eligible for tax exemptions. He suggested that RSS does not avail any government funds or benefits, and its only source of income was “guru dakshina”. He further added that since RSS was banned at first and then the ban was lifted, this implies that the government knew what it was about.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-hindu-deity-poster-varanasi-birthday-controversy-1781862756069">Rahul Gandhi depicted in deity-like attire by Youth Congress workers triggers controversy</a><h2>Should RSS register as an organisation?</h2>Legally, no framework binds RSS to be registered as an organisation. Courts have recognised RSS as a socio-cultural organisation and agreed that they do not require a standard corporate association to exist. If an organisation does not seek rights or privileges from the government, then it remains optional. Historically, that has been the argument by RSS and its sympathisers. But the sheer scale of RSS, its influence on Indian society, cannot be overlooked.&nbsp;Proponents like Kharge argue that it sits at the top of a complex structure of organisations, including trade unions, farmer organisations, student bodies, educational institutions and shares ideological affinity with the ruling BJP and collects a vast amount of public funds in the form of “guru dakshina” and should be audited for transparency. Scholars argue that an unregistered entity can not be held responsible for its activities or controversial statements made by its wings and leaders. Further, its history as an organisation has been much debated among scholars. While RSS and its associates appropriate the legacy of Sardar Patel. It was banned in 1948 by the “Iron Man” of India, to “root out forces of hate and violence”. Its ban was later revoked when it agreed to formally accept the tricolour and the constitution in 1949. It continues to assert significant influence on the Indian electoral landscape through its thinktanks, and many Indian leaders, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been groomed under its organisational framework.&nbsp;A legal registration would make it feasible for the government to map its assets, lands, and offices currently held informally through various trusts, and would be registered under the organisational structure. It would create a legal entity capable of being prosecuted and suing others in case of legal conflicts. It would be required to disclose its foreign funding received from the diaspora community or other institutions under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). These would also reduce the mystique around the Sangh family, on which it takes pride, and turn it into a corporate-style NGO.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A fresh debate is going on whether the RSS should formally register as an organisation after Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge sought greater transparency in its finances and operations. 

Karnataka Home Minister once again revived the decade-old contentious question about Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh's registration. In a two-page letter shared on the social media platform X, Kharge questioned RSS's chief Mohan Bhagwat. Kharge congratulated RSS on completing 100 years and pointed out that the organisation has a significant presence in Karnataka, with over 60,000 shakhas and affiliated activities across the state. So it should register itself, disclose its finances, funding sources and constitutional compliance. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, responding to the demand, called it politically motivated. He said that RSS is a “body of individuals” and is eligible for tax exemptions. He suggested that RSS does not avail any government funds or benefits, and its only source of income was “guru dakshina”. He further added that since RSS was banned at first and then the ban was lifted, this implies that the government knew what it was about. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi depicted in deity-like attire by Youth Congress workers triggers controversy Should RSS register as an organisation? Legally, no framework binds RSS to be registered as an organisation. Courts have recognised RSS as a socio-cultural organisation and agreed that they do not require a standard corporate association to exist. If an organisation does not seek rights or privileges from the government, then it remains optional. Historically, that has been the argument by RSS and its sympathisers. But the sheer scale of RSS, its influence on Indian society, cannot be overlooked. Proponents like Kharge argue that it sits at the top of a complex structure of organisations, including trade unions, farmer organisations, student bodies, educational institutions and shares ideological affinity with the ruling BJP and collects a vast amount of public funds in the form of “guru dakshina” and should be audited for transparency. Scholars argue that an unregistered entity can not be held responsible for its activities or controversial statements made by its wings and leaders. Further, its history as an organisation has been much debated among scholars. While RSS and its associates appropriate the legacy of Sardar Patel. It was banned in 1948 by the “Iron Man” of India, to “root out forces of hate and violence”. Its ban was later revoked when it agreed to formally accept the tricolour and the constitution in 1949. It continues to assert significant influence on the Indian electoral landscape through its thinktanks, and many Indian leaders, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have been groomed under its organisational framework. A legal registration would make it feasible for the government to map its assets, lands, and offices currently held informally through various trusts, and would be registered under the organisational structure. It would create a legal entity capable of being prosecuted and suing others in case of legal conflicts. It would be required to disclose its foreign funding received from the diaspora community or other institutions under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). These would also reduce the mystique around the Sangh family, on which it takes pride, and turn it into a corporate-style NGO.

A fresh debate is going on whether the RSS should formally register as an organisation after Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge sought greater transparency in its finances and operations.&nbsp;

RSS registration row: What are the arguments for and against formal registration?

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Karnataka unveils Sustainable Data Centre Policy for efficient water, power use

Karnataka minister Kharge clarifies after 'lathi-charge' remark: 'Aimed at BJP'

RSS registration row: What are the arguments for and against formal registration