Karnataka Government Schemes and Policies

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January–15 July 2026 – Detailed Current Affairs Notes

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Important note: Some initiatives below were announced in the Karnataka Budget 2026–27 or subsequently proposed by the government. A budget announcement does not always mean that beneficiary applications have started.

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1. Chief Minister Krishi Vistara Yojana

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The Chief Minister Krishi Vistara Yojana was announced in the Karnataka Budget 2026–27 to increase farmers’ income through agricultural value addition.

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• Sector: Agriculture
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• Announced: 6 March 2026
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• Outlay: ₹100 crore over three years
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• Main objective: To help farmers obtain additional income from agricultural produce and farm waste
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• Key activities: Processing, packaging, value addition and productive reuse of agricultural residue
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• Expected benefit: Better market value for farm produce, new rural enterprises and reduced agricultural waste
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• Target group: Farmers, farmer groups, agricultural entrepreneurs and rural processing units
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The scheme is important because it encourages farmers to move beyond selling only raw produce and participate in processing and value-added activities. Karnataka Budget 2026–27, The New Indian Express

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2. Farmers’ Honour Scheme

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Financial assistance for farmers was announced under the Farmers’ Honour Scheme in the 2026–27 budget.

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• Sector: Agriculture and farmers’ welfare
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• Beneficiaries: Approximately 1.30 lakh farmers
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• Financial assistance: ₹5,000 annually per eligible farmer
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• Total provision: Around ₹225 crore was announced for farmer-support measures
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• Objective: To provide direct financial support for agricultural and household needs
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The final eligibility rules, application process and payment schedule must be confirmed through the relevant government order. Indian Express budget coverage

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3. Agricultural Electricity Subsidy Policy

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The Karnataka government announced electricity support for agricultural pump-set users.

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• Farmers using pump sets from 1 HP to 10 HP were proposed to receive free electricity.
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• Pump sets between 10 HP and 20 HP were proposed to receive power at subsidised rates.
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• Eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe farmers with higher-capacity pump sets were proposed to receive up to a 50% subsidy per unit, subject to official conditions.
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• Objective: To reduce irrigation expenses and lower the cost of cultivation.
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• Implementing sector: Energy Department in coordination with electricity supply companies.
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This policy is especially important for farmers who depend on borewells and electrically operated irrigation systems. Indian Express budget coverage

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4. AI-Enabled Raitha Kare Kendra

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The government announced the modernisation of Raitha Kare Kendra, Karnataka’s farmer-support call-centre system, using artificial intelligence.

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• Sector: Agriculture and digital governance
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• Objective: To provide quick and accurate agricultural guidance
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• Services expected: Weather information, market prices, crop advice, farming technology and scheme-related guidance
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• Beneficiaries: Farmers across Karnataka
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• Importance: It can provide personalised assistance and improve access to agricultural information, particularly in rural areas.
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This is part of Karnataka’s wider policy of applying AI in public-service delivery. Karnataka Budget 2026–27

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5. AI-Powered Personalised Digital Tutors

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Karnataka announced an AI-supported learning programme for school students in collaboration with IIT Dharwad.

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• Sector: School education and artificial intelligence
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• Target students: Classes 8 to 12
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• Expected coverage: Approximately 12.3 lakh students
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• Budget allocation: ₹5 crore
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• Focus subjects: Mathematics and Science
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• Objective: To provide personalised explanations and learning support based on students’ individual needs
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• Partner institution: IIT Dharwad
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The initiative aims to improve conceptual understanding and make digital learning more personalised in government schools. Karnataka Budget 2026–27

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6. AI Laboratories in Government Colleges

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The Karnataka government approved the establishment of 50 AI laboratories in government colleges.

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• Sector: Higher education and technology
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• Number of laboratories: 50
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• Location focus: Government colleges, particularly institutions in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
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• Objective: To provide practical education in artificial intelligence, data science and emerging technologies
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• Expected benefit: Improved employment skills, research opportunities and innovation among students
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• Budget reference: A ₹10-crore grant was associated with the initiative under the national AI mission framework.
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The initiative seeks to reduce the technology-access gap between metropolitan colleges and institutions in smaller cities. Economic Times

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7. Student Indira Canteens

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The Karnataka Budget proposed special Student Indira Canteens to provide affordable food to students.

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• Sector: Student welfare and food security
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• Proposed locations: Four in Dharwad and two in Bengaluru
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• Target beneficiaries: Students, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds
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• Objective: To provide nutritious meals at affordable prices
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• Importance: The initiative extends the Indira Canteen concept specifically to educational centres and student populations.
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The scheme can help reduce daily food expenses for students living away from their families. Indian Express budget coverage

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8. Vidyarthi Arogya Bandhu

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Vidyarthi Arogya Bandhu was introduced in Davanagere district as a student-health initiative.

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• Sector: Health and student welfare
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• Coverage: Nearly 20,000 students living in government hostels
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• Beneficiaries: Students in hostels operated by Social Welfare, Tribal Welfare and other departments
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• Main feature: A health card for every covered student
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• Services: Monthly health check-ups, early identification of health conditions and referrals to higher medical centres
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• Health focus: Anaemia, diabetes, hypertension, mental-health concerns and other illnesses
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• Awareness component: Cyber safety, POCSO Act, child rights, addiction prevention and emergency contacts
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• Colour coding: Pink cards for girls and blue cards for boys
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It is currently notable as a district-level Karnataka initiative rather than a confirmed statewide scheme. Times of India

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9. Unified Welfare Beneficiary Data Analytics Cell

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The Karnataka government proposed a unified data system to improve the delivery of welfare and social-security schemes.

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• Sector: Governance and welfare administration
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• Objective: To eliminate duplicate, ineligible or outdated beneficiary records
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• Expected coverage: Data from approximately 15–20 government departments
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• Schemes affected: Major welfare schemes such as Gruha Lakshmi and Anna Bhagya
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• Structure: A dedicated nine-member analytics unit was reported
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• Proposed expenditure: ₹2.6 crore annually for salaries and ₹1 crore for technology infrastructure
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• Expected benefit: Better targeting of benefits, prevention of leakage and more efficient use of public funds
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This is an administrative reform rather than a direct cash-benefit scheme. Times of India

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10. Kaveri 3.0

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Kaveri 3.0 was announced as an AI-supported, paperless property-registration system.

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• Sector: Revenue administration and e-governance
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• Budget allocation: ₹65 crore
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• Objective: To simplify and digitise property registration
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• Expected features: Paperless processing, faster verification, reduced manual intervention and improved transparency
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• Beneficiaries: Property buyers, sellers, document writers and registration officials
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• Expected impact: Faster registration and reduced opportunities for errors and irregularities
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The initiative is part of Karnataka’s move towards technology-driven public administration. Karnataka Budget 2026–27

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11. Smart Annavani

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The existing food-related public helpline was proposed to be upgraded into Smart Annavani using artificial intelligence.

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• Sector: Food and Civil Supplies
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• Objective: To improve the handling of public complaints and queries
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• Likely areas covered: Ration cards, Public Distribution System services, food-grain distribution and beneficiary grievances
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• Technology: AI-supported complaint classification and response
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• Expected benefit: Quicker grievance resolution and improved monitoring of food-security services
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Students should remember that Smart Annavani represents the use of AI in the Food and Civil Supplies Department.

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12. Shakti Scheme – Continued Allocation

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The Shakti Scheme, originally launched in 2023, continued to be a major welfare policy during 2026.

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• Sector: Women’s welfare and public transport
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• Benefit: Free travel for eligible women in ordinary state-run buses within Karnataka
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• Implementing corporations: KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC
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• Objective: To improve women’s mobility, employment access and financial independence
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• 2026–27 status: Continued implementation received a substantial budgetary commitment.
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• Important distinction: It is not a newly launched 2026 scheme; it is an existing guarantee scheme continued during the period.
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13. Gruha Lakshmi Scheme – Continued Implementation

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The Gruha Lakshmi Scheme continued during January–July 2026.

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• Sector: Women and family welfare
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• Benefit: ₹2,000 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer
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• Beneficiary: Eligible woman identified as the head of a Karnataka household
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• Objective: To strengthen women’s financial security and support household expenditure
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• Department: Women and Child Development Department
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• 2026 development: Beneficiary verification and data integration received greater attention to prevent duplicate and ineligible payments.
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This scheme was introduced earlier and should be studied as an ongoing flagship programme.

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14. Gruha Jyothi Scheme – Continued Implementation

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The Gruha Jyothi Scheme remained operational in 2026.

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• Sector: Energy and household welfare
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• Benefit: Free electricity for eligible domestic consumers, subject to prescribed consumption and eligibility conditions
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• Maximum limit: Up to 200 units per month
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• Objective: To reduce the electricity expenditure of Karnataka households
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• Department: Energy Department
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• Implementing agencies: Karnataka’s electricity supply companies
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The actual free entitlement is calculated under the scheme’s prescribed consumption formula; every household does not automatically receive the full 200 units.

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15. Anna Bhagya Scheme – Continued Implementation

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The Anna Bhagya Scheme remained an important food-security programme in 2026.

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• Sector: Food security
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• Target group: Eligible Below Poverty Line and Antyodaya ration-card families
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• Objective: To provide additional food support to economically vulnerable households
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• Method of support: Food grains and/or monetary assistance as determined by current government arrangements
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• Department: Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department
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For examinations, students should verify whether the benefit during a particular month was provided as rice, cash or a combination, because implementation arrangements may change.

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16. Yuva Nidhi Scheme – Continued Implementation

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The Yuva Nidhi Scheme continued to provide unemployment assistance to eligible educated youth.

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• Sector: Youth welfare and employment
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• Graduate allowance: ₹3,000 per month
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• Diploma-holder allowance: ₹1,500 per month
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• Target group: Eligible unemployed graduates and diploma holders from Karnataka
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• Duration: Up to two years or until the beneficiary obtains employment, subject to scheme rules
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• Objective: To provide temporary financial support while young people search for employment
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• Application platform: Seva Sindhu
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It is one of Karnataka’s five principal guarantee schemes.

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17. Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas

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In July 2026, the government announced plans to establish 10,000 Bharat Jodo Yuva Sanghas.

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• Sector: Youth development
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• Number proposed: 10,000 youth associations
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• Reported grant: ₹10 lakh for each association
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• Objective: To encourage youth participation, community service, leadership and local development activities
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• Status as of 15 July 2026: Announced/proposed; detailed operational guidelines should be checked before treating it as fully implemented.
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A related proposal for a state-supported private employment exchange was also mentioned. Times of India

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18. Karnataka AI University and Innovation Ecosystem

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On 15 July 2026, Karnataka announced a major artificial-intelligence development initiative.

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• Main proposal: Establishment of a government-backed AI University
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• Additional components: AI Innovation Hub and green data centres
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• Objective: To make Karnataka a leading centre for AI education, research and innovation
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• Focus areas: Advanced research, skilled workforce development, start-ups and environmentally responsible digital infrastructure
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• Status: Policy announcement; establishment and implementation details were still expected.
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This initiative should not be confused with the separate programme to create 50 AI laboratories in government colleges. Times of India

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