Karnataka's revamped Single Window System for investors launched
Bengaluru, Feb 11 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday launched the state's revamped Single Window System aimed at improving ease of doing business in the state.
He said the new system will simplify approvals, reduce compliance burdens, and fast-track industrial investments while ensuring transparency and efficiency.
The system integrates over 150 business services across 30 state departments. It will provide real-time status updates, allowing investors to track approvals, amendments, and renewals without delays, the CM noted.
"The initiative is particularly beneficial for the manufacturing sector as it introduces an Affidavit-Based Clearance (ABC) mechanism through Karnataka Udyog Mitra. This will enable investors to begin construction and preparatory activities without waiting for multiple approvals," he added.
Noting that the revamped Single Window System is integrated with the National Single Window System, allowing investors to access central-level services seamlessly, the CM said, it also incorporates several Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) services, such as land search, selection, allotment, and building plan approvals. These services are now available through a single portal. This makes it easier for investors to navigate the approval process without having to approach multiple offices.
A GIS-based Industrial Information System has also been introduced. It will help investors who plan to use their own or revenue land check compliance with site-related regulations before proceeding with their projects.
A wizard-based discovery tool will assist investors in identifying the required State and Central approvals, NOCs, and clearances at different stages of their project lifecycle, an official release said.
Further, an Incentive Wizard & Calculator has been built into the system. This will allow investors to check their eligibility for various incentives, concessions, and rebates under different policies. It will help them make informed decisions. An AI-powered multi-lingual chatbot will provide instant responses to investor queries on policies, incentives, approvals, and compliance requirements.
The chief minister said this move is aimed at enhancing investor convenience.
The system also focuses on improving the overall investor experience. It simplifies forms, eliminates duplicate information, and integrates with over 40 systems through APIs. It also provides real-time status visibility with event-based alerts and triggers.
Siddaramaiah stated that these features will make Karnataka one of the most investor-friendly destinations in the country.
To ensure ease in incentive claims and disbursement, the system enables investors to apply for and track their claims online. This will reduce paperwork and improve transparency, the release said.
The system is available in multiple languages and is designed to be mobile-friendly. It also includes an online grievance redressal mechanism. This will enable investors to raise queries and receive quick resolutions from the investment facilitation team.
According to the CM, this will ensure that concerns are addressed in a time-bound manner.
Siddaramaiha reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing the investor experience, expediting approvals, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
"With the introduction of the revamped Single Window System, Karnataka aims to further strengthen its position as one of India's top investment destinations. The new system will foster a more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly ecosystem" he added.
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NEET-UG: 2 more held, role of several NTA officers under scanner; CBI focussing on source of leak
New Delhi (PTI): The CBI has arrested two more persons in connection with the NEET (UG) paper-leak case, with the role of several officers of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and other organisations, who had access to the printing press where the papers were printed, coming under the scanner, officials said on Thursday.
The agency has arrested Dhananjay Lokhanda from Ahilyanagar and Manisha Waghmare from Pune and conducted searches at 14 locations across the country in the last 24 hours, they said.
The CBI is focussing on identifying the source of the leak that has caused massive disappointment to lakhs of aspirants eyeing a seat in undergraduate medical courses, which are allotted after the highly-competitive examination, the officials said.
According to the CBI probe so far, the involvement of public servants in the leak cannot be ruled out.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three individuals from Jaipur -- Mangilal Biwal, Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal -- along with Yash Yadav from Gurugram and Shubham Khairnar from Nashik.
Khairnar was in touch with Yadav and informed him in April that Mangilal Biwal was ready to pay Rs 10-12 lakh for arranging leaked NEET (UG) 2026 questions for his younger son.
Khairnar allegedly provided 500 to 600 questions from the leaked paper to Yadav, the officials said, adding that the questions could have helped score enough marks to get a seat in a reputed medical college.
Mangilal Biwal allegedly procured the paper from Yadav, who was known to his elder son Vikas Biwal from an NEET coaching in Rajasthan's Sikar. The deal between Mangilal Biwal and Yadav was for Rs 10 lakh, if 150 questions from the question bank matched with those in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) paper, the officials said.
Mangilal Biwal shared the paper with his son and further distributed it among relatives.
Yadav also told Vikas Biwal to find additional candidates for the questions to recover some of the money that he had spent on getting those, the officials said.
An analysis of digital devices has given the agency incriminating chats, leaked question papers and other digital evidence. The CBI will subject the devices to a forensic examination to get the deleted data, the officials said.
The federal agency has registered an FIR and formed teams to probe the alleged NEET (UG) paper leak that resulted in the cancellation of the exam held on May 3.
The NEET (UG) 2026 was conducted across 551 Indian cities and at 14 overseas centres. Nearly 23 lakh candidates had registered for the test, which was administered by the NTA at centres across the country.
According to the NTA, information regarding alleged malpractice was received on the evening of May 7, four days after the examination was held. The NTA said the inputs were escalated to central agencies the following morning for "independent verification and necessary action".
The Rajasthan Police's Special Operations Group (SOG) has claimed that a "guess paper" for chemistry, allegedly circulated among students ahead of the examination, had approximately 410 questions, including roughly 120 that appeared in the test.
