Massive Budget Outlay Focuses on Education, Women’s Welfare, Infrastructure, EV Buses and Drug-Free Karnataka as Government Rolls Out Major Policy DecisionsNews Flash Desk: In a series of major announcements during the Karnataka Budget 2026-27, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled several policy measures focusing on education, infrastructure, employment, digital regulation, and public welfare. One of the most striking decisions in the budget is the proposal to ban social media use for children under 16, inspired by a similar regulation in Australia.
The government stated that the proposed restriction aims to reduce mobile addiction among children and encourage greater focus on education, addressing growing concerns over the psychological impact of social media on young minds.
Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
The state government is planning strict regulatory measures to prohibit social media access for children below the age of 16. The move has been described as a bold step to protect the mental well-being of students and reduce digital addiction.
Officials believe that limiting social media exposure will help students focus more on academics and personal development, while also preventing potential psychological harm caused by excessive online engagement.
15,000 Teachers to Be Appointed
In a major boost to the education sector, the government announced the recruitment of 15,000 teachers across schools and colleges in Karnataka. The decision is aimed at strengthening the education system and addressing the shortage of teaching staff across various institutions.
₹7000 Crore Push for ‘Brand Bengaluru’ Development
Under the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ initiative, the government has announced a massive ₹7000 crore development package to address long-standing urban infrastructure issues in the capital city.
The funding will be used for white-topping of roads, metro expansion, outer ring road development, and urban infrastructure upgrades across five municipal corporations. The initiative is expected to ease traffic congestion and significantly improve Bengaluru’s urban mobility infrastructure.
Key allocations under the programme include ₹1,700 crore for white-topping of 158 km roads, ₹1,936 crore for development of main and sub-main roads, and ₹450 crore for upgrading the Outer Ring Road from Silk Board Junction to KR Puram Metro Station.
Additionally, 273 crore has been allocated for Rajakaluve upgrades, beautification of 175 major junctions, construction of 100 skywalks, and development of 500 km of footpaths.
The government also announced an additional 41 km metro expansion planned during the financial year 2026-27, along with a new revised master plan for Bengaluru expected to be implemented by the end of 2027.
Airport Development and Infrastructure Expansion
The budget has also allocated ₹200 crore for the development of airports across seven regions of Karnataka, aiming to improve regional connectivity and economic growth.
Boost to Public Transport and EV Mobility
In a major move toward sustainable transportation, the government announced the purchase of 4,000 electric buses and development of EV depots across 32 BMTC units and 62 road transport corporations.
Additionally, the state will purchase 1,000 diesel buses during 2026-27 to strengthen public transport services.
Good news was also announced for transport employees, with the government approving ₹1,271 crore for payment of salary revision arrears effective from April 1, 2025.
Major Welfare and Social Sector Announcements
The budget also includes several welfare initiatives:
The government also announced ₹10 lakh subsidy at 4% interest for members of the Savita Samaj to open salons, and ₹5 lakh loan at 5% interest for the Madiwala community to establish modern laundry units.
Drug-Free Karnataka Initiative
The state government reiterated its commitment to creating a drug-free Karnataka by strengthening enforcement mechanisms.
To support this initiative, ₹10 crore has been allocated to strengthen the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) under the Zero Tolerance to Drugs policy.
Wildlife and Environmental Measures
The government also announced a ₹5 crore leopard rehabilitation centre at Bannerghatta near Bannerghatta National Park to manage leopards captured in Bengaluru and surrounding areas.
AI-Based Attendance for Anganwadis and Schools
In a move toward digital governance, the government announced the implementation of AI and facial recognition-based attendance systems in Anganwadis, schools, and colleges across Karnataka to improve monitoring and accountability.
Water Projects and Healthcare Expansion
The government has also accelerated infrastructure projects including the Yettinahole water project, where an 18.73 km canal and a 1.2 TMC capacity balancing reservoir near Vaderahalli in Koratagere taluk will be completed in phases.
Meanwhile, the government announced plans to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Mekedatu project, a major proposed water storage initiative on the Cauvery River.
Additionally, super speciality hospitals will be established in Karwar and Yadgir to strengthen regional healthcare infrastructure.
Revenue Growth and Budget Size
According to budget data, Karnataka’s total revenue collection until February 2025-26 reached ₹22,629 crore, marking 12.3 percent growth compared to the previous year.
The Registration and Stamps Department has set a revenue target of ₹29,000 crore for 2026-27.
The overall budget size stands at ₹4.48 lakh crore, while Karnataka’s total debt is estimated at ₹8.27 lakh crore.
