Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

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The State Transport Department has issued guidelines for the distribution of free passes to male students as well, thereby allowing both boys and girls to travel free of cost on buses operated by KSRTC, KKRTC, NWKRTC and BMTC. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K

The Karnataka government has expanded its free bus pass scheme to include students from the State studying in institutions outside Karnataka. The State Transport Department also issued guidelines for the distribution of free passes to male students, thereby allowing both boys and girls to travel free of cost on buses operated by KSRTC, KKRTC, NWKRTC and BMTC.

As per the guidelines, existing eligibility criteria for student bus passes, including academic requirements, distance limits and pass validity, will continue to apply. Students can apply online through the Seva Sindhu portal by submitting the necessary documents .At present, 19,792 students have bought passes by paying the prescribed fee and are set to receive reimbursements.

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected three Indian startups as the first set of Indian Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) for funding under its Technology Adoption Fund Scheme. Bengaluru-based Astrobase Space Technologies and SatSure Analytics India, and Hyderabad-based TM2SPACE Technologies are the start-ups selected.

IN-SPACe said that the three startups, picked following a rigourous multi-stage evaluation process by an expert committee, are eligible for financial support to develop transformative space technologies aimed at strengthening India’s indigenous capabilities and enhancing its global competitiveness in the space sector.

A day after the arrest of the victim’s mother, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh issued an order suspending three officers for alleged dereliction of duty in connection with the murder case of a six-year-old girl, Vennela. The suspended officers include Rangaswamy H.M.; sub-inspector Ningaraju; and po