Karnataka Budget 2026 highlights: Indira Food Kits, 2041 Bengaluru Master Plan and more

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday (March 6) presented the Karnataka Budget 2026-27 and announced the formulation of a new revised Master Plan-2041 and Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Bengaluru.

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He also announced that the usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16.

Here are the highlights of Karnataka Budget 2026-27.

• Budget estimate (Consolidated Fund) Rs 4,48,004 crore
• Budget allocation under Gender Budget Rs 94,663 crore
• Budget allocation for Child Budget Rs 63,135 crore
• Rs 7,000 crore has been allocated for the infrastructure development of Bengaluru
• Formulation of a new revised Master Plan-2041 and Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Bengaluru
• Rs 3,000 crore for white-topping of 450 km roads in Bengaluru
• Additional 41 km of metro lines to be done in current year which benefit 15 lakh passengers
• Construction of a tunnel road and an elevated corridor from Hebbal Junction to Mekhri Circle in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs 2,250 crore
• Preparation of feasibility report for construction of second International Airport in Bengaluru after obtaining the technical opinion from AAI
• Earmarking of Rs 200 crore for development of seven domestic Airports in the State
• Filing up of 56,432 vacant posts across Departments
• Second phase of Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development
• Fund for road and infrastructure works – Rs. 4,000 crore
• Use of social media banned for children under the age of 16
• Distribution of Indira Food Kits instead of 5 kg additional rice under Anna Bhagya Scheme
• Direct payment through FIST Application to avoid delay in payment of margins
• Disbursal of Rs 913 crore unemployment allowance to 3,08,267 eligible beneficiaries under Yuvanidhi Scheme during three years
• Establishment of Silk parks in Ramanagara, Shidlaghatta, Haveri, Tandavapura and Kalaburgi
• Construction of 100 new veterinary institution buildings with NABARD assistance
• Subsidy of 25 per cent on purchase of sheep/goat and cow/buffalo for 10,000 beneficiaries under each in Belagavi and Kalaburagi divisions.
• Upgradation of 15 taluk veterinary hospitals to polyclinics at Rs 10 crore
• Increase of unit cost of Fisheries Requisite Kits to Rs.20,000 for free supply to fishermen
• Target of distribution of Rs 30,000 crore agricultural loans to 38 lakh farmers at zero percent interest
• Execution of Mekedatu Project after obtaining forest clearance from Central Ministry of Environment
• Commencement of 800 new Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) at a cost of Rs 3,900 crore with an assistance from ADB, KKRDB, and KMERC
• Filling up of 15,000 vacant teaching posts in schools and colleges
• Development of 40 Degree Colleges and 11 Polytechnics and establishment of 9 Centers of Excellence with assistance from ADB
• Filling up of 1,000 teaching posts in universities
• Development of health infrastructure in Health Department at Rs 900 crore
• Additional Rs.56 crore for revision of maintenance rates for pre-matric & post-matric hostels of SC, ST, BC and Minorities
• Starting of Vidyarthi Indira Canteens – four in Dharawad and two in Bengaluru
• Electricity subsidy of Rs 19,290 crore to 36 lakh Irrigation Pumpsets
• Rs 10,578 crores allocated for Gruha Jyothi
• Construction of bridges at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore over next 2 years
• In Chikkaballapur, vehicle scrapping facility unit will be established in 100 acres through KIADB
• Mysuru city will be developed as Second IT city of the State
• GIS-based digitalisation of land/assets of Bhoomi, Mojini, Kaveri, e-Swathu, e-Aasthi under “Karnataka Land
• Stack programme”
• Development of Bhoomi 8.0 software at a cost of Rs 50 crore
• Financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each by State government for pilgrims of Maatha Vaishnodevi