Karnataka records second-lowest unemployment rate in India
Mangaluru: Karnataka has reported the second-lowest unemployment rate in the country, showing strong performance in job creation compared to most other states, The New Indian Express reported.
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for July–September 2025, the unemployment rate in Karnataka stood at 2.8 per cent, which is much lower than the national average of 5.2 per cent for people aged 15 years and above. The data was shared by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in reply to an unstarred question.
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Urban India continued to face greater stress, with unemployment at 6.9 per cent, compared to 4.4 per cent in rural areas. In Karnataka, rural unemployment stood at 2.5 per cent, while urban unemployment was 3.3 per cent, pointing to relatively stable labour market conditions across regions.
Karnataka also recorded a labour force participation rate of 57.3 per cent and a worker population ratio of 55.6 per cent, reflecting active participation of people in economic activities. As per the report, Gujarat ranked first nationally with the lowest unemployment rate of 2.2 per cent.
Among southern states, Andhra Pradesh 8.2 per cent and Kerala 8.0 per cent reported significantly higher unemployment levels. Tamil Nadu and Telangana both recorded an unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent.
According to the report, in Karnataka, female unemployment at 3.0 per cent was slightly higher than male unemployment at 2.8 per cent. Kerala showed a sharper disparity, with female unemployment at 9.4 per cent against 7.2 per cent for men.
Similar trends were observed in Tamil Nadu and Telangana, highlighting ongoing challenges in integrating women into the workforce.
The government reportedly said employment indicators are estimated through the PLFS, while job-seeker registration is facilitated through the National Career Service portal, which currently has over 6.02 crore registered job seekers.
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Mangaluru man creates India’s first beeswax chessboard, enters record book
Mangaluru: A unique chessboard made entirely from beeswax has earned Prajwal M, a beekeeper from Kinnigoli near Mangaluru, a place in the India Book of Records.
According to a report published by The Times of India on Wednesday, the handmade beeswax chessboard was showcased at a state-level agricultural exhibition held at the University of Agricultural Sciences (GKVK), Bengaluru, last month. The exhibit attracted widespread attention for its creativity and eco-friendly design.
"The beeswax chessboard measuring 20cm by 26cm works like any other chessboard. The only condition is that it should not be exposed to heat," as a full-time beekeeper and founder of Coastal Honey Bee Farm, I have been experimenting with various value-added products from beeswax and honey," TOI quoted Prajwal as saying.
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Prajwal, who runs the Coastal Honey Bee Farm reportedly said, he has been experimenting with value-added products made from honey and beeswax. An MBA graduate, Prajwal took up beekeeping during Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the idea for the chessboard came after he won a state-level award in October, following which he was invited to display an innovative product at the GKVK exhibition.
Initially, I thought of creating a statue, but I realised it would not be possible to complete it within four days. That is when the idea of making a chessboard struck me. Later, I was told that this is the first chessboard of its kind in India, he said.
As per the report, a native of Talipadi village in Dakshina Kannada district, Prajwal is the son of Sunita and Madhava Shettigar. Apart from the chessboard, he has developed over 25 value-added products, including skincare items, kajal, dry fruit honey and other honey-based products. He is also involved in training programmes for aspiring beekeepers and conducts awareness sessions for schoolchildren.
In recognition of his efforts, Prajwal was conferred the state-level Young Beekeeper Award earlier this year. He hopes to commercially introduce the chessboard soon.
