Karnataka Budget proposes new hostels, minority residential schools and education support schemes

The Karnataka government on Friday (March 6, 2026) announced a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening educational opportunities, welfare support and livelihood programmes for minority communities in the State in the 2026–27 Budget.

Among the key measures is the establishment of 25 new post-matric hostels with a capacity of 150 students each in districts where demand is high. The intake capacity of 25 existing hostels will also be increased by 50 students each to accommodate more students from minority communities pursuing higher education.

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To meet the growing demand for minority residential education, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced in the Budget that ten Sant Shishunala Shariff Residential Schools with a CBSE curriculum will be started. An allocation of ₹10 crore has been made in the current financial year for this initiative. In addition, 25 more Sant Shishunala Shariff residential schools are proposed to be started in 2026–27.

School infrastructure

The government is also taking steps to strengthen school infrastructure. A total of 117 Maulana Azad Model Schools and Urdu Schools are being upgraded as Karnataka Public Schools at a cost of ₹600 crore. In the current year, an additional 100 schools will be upgraded under the same model at a cost of ₹400 crore.

At the pre-university level, Science and Commerce streams will be introduced in 25 Morarji Desai Residential Schools. Commerce stream will also be started in 18 A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Residential Schools to expand academic options for students.

Training for competitive exams

To support students preparing for competitive examinations, four residential schools will be developed as Centres of Excellence to provide coaching for K-CET, JEE, and NEET examinations for selected meritorious PUC students studying in Minority Residential Schools. In addition, special CET, JEE, and NEET training will be provided to students of 20 residential schools.

The government has also proposed to establish learning centres and citizen service centres in select Waqf properties. These centres will be open to students of all communities and are expected to support continuous learning and access to public services.

New women’s hostels

Responding to the increasing demand for accommodation among working women, four new working women’s hostels with a capacity of 100 each will be set up in Bengaluru.

An allocation of ₹100 crore has been earmarked for the comprehensive development of Jain, Buddhist and Sikh communities. The government will also provide a monthly honorarium of ₹6,000 to Dhammacharis of the Buddhist community, according to the Budget.

Assistance will be provided to establish two old-age homes for women with a capacity of 100 each for destitute persons belonging to minority communities.

To promote digital education, 5,000 meritorious students from economically weaker sections will receive financial assistance of ₹50,000 each to purchase laptops.

Fast food truck trailers

Under the Entrepreneurship Development Scheme implemented through the minority development corporations, unemployed youth from minority communities will be provided fast food truck trailers or mobile kitchen kiosks with financial assistance of 75% of the unit cost or up to a maximum subsidy of ₹3 lakh.

The government has also proposed to establish minority women cooperative societies to encourage self-employment among women belonging to minority self-help groups.

Besides, ₹5 crore will be provided to establish comprehensive geriatric palliative care units at a cost of ₹50 lakh each in 10 old-age homes run by Christian institutions to provide healthcare services for senior citizens.

Institutional infrastructure will also be developed to establish a Minority Development and Training Centre on two acres of land belonging to Asirvanam Benedictine Monastery at Kengeri in Bengaluru, with an allocation of ₹5 crore.

Ambedkar books in Urdu

Among other initiatives, the government will translate the writings and books of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other social reformers into Urdu. Haj Bhavans will be constructed in Hubballi and Kalaburagi to provide facilities for Haj pilgrims and their families.

Further, 31 women’s PU colleges run under Waqf institutions will be upgraded as degree colleges, and a new women’s PU college will be started in Savanur. The government also plans to develop Waqf properties located in high-demand commercial areas under the public-private partnership model. A library will also be established at Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib Gurudwara in Bidar.