Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

1. Karnataka Budget 2026-27: CM Siddaramaiah presents his 17th budget, with an outlay of ₹4,48,004 crore

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the State Budget for 2026-27 with a total outlay of ₹4,48,004 crore, a 13.3% increase compared to the Revised Estimates for 2025-26, pegged at ₹3,95,307 crore. This was despite concerns over a fall in Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue due to rate rationalisation, which seems to have been countered by an increase in the State’s share of the tax devolution pool, as per recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. 

The budget adheres to norms of Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2000, though very close to the upper limits. The fiscal deficit stands at ₹97,449 crore, or 2.95% of GSDP, as against the limit of 3%. The total liabilities stand at ₹8,24,389 crore, or 24.94% of the GSDP, as against the limit of 25%. Borrowing estimate is ₹1.32 lakh crore. Karnataka has been presenting revenue deficit budgets for consecutive years now. This year, the figure is pegged at ₹22,957 crore, up from ₹19,262 crore last year, as per budget estimates.

2. Intermediate Ring Road, Miyawaki parks, municipal bonds for Bengaluru

In a push to expand road network and tackle traffic congestion in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced construction of an Intermediate Ring Road (IRR) connecting Nelamangala, Tavarekere and Bidadi. The project will be taken up using the financial resources of the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) and local planning authorities.

In the year 2025-26, the State Government increased the grant for the development of Bengaluru from ₹3,000 crore to ₹7,000 crore. This grant will be continued in the current year as well. Further, the new city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will mobilise resources for development work by issuing municipal bonds based on their balance sheets.

3. New initiatives to support eco-friendly farm practices, efficient use of water, embrace AI tech

Karnataka Budget featured a few schemes to support eco-friendly agricultural practices, along with measures to strengthen initiatives to back cultivation of millets. The budet has proposed ‘Vasudhamruta’ programme to promote eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices by enhancing organic carbon content of soil, along with its physical, chemical, and biological properties.

The ‘Sasya Sanjeevini’ scheme has been announced to identify pests and diseases at the early stage, and to provide timely recommendations to farmers on control measures, such as use of eco-friendly bio-control agents and bio-pesticides, along with other safer control measures. Both schemes will be implemented over the next three years.

4. Kalyana Karnataka projects routed through KKRDB funds; tourism development plan for coastal belt

Several initiatives announced for the development of the Kalyana Karnataka region in the State Budget for 2026-27 are proposed to be implemented through the allocations of the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board, once again highlighting the growing dependence on the Board’s funds even for projects that ordinarily fall within regular sectoral spending. Read more here.

To ensure a pleasant experience for tourists visiting Karnataka, the State Government will invest ₹1 crore to train tourist guides, taxi and auto drivers, and security police staff, Mr. Siddaramaiah also announced. Recognising the tourism potential of Karnataka’s coastal districts, the government plans to prepare a ‘Comprehensive Coastal Tourism Development Plan’. Read more here.

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

The Karnataka government 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.

To meet the growing demand for minority residential education, 10 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.

6. State Government to ban social media for children under 16 years

The use of social media by children under the age of 16 will be banned in an effort to prevent the negative effects of increasing mobile phone use among children, announced Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his Budget speech on March 6, 2026.

The State has been weighing the pros and cons of restricting mobile phone use for children under 16 years. The decision comes after Australia blocked social media, including TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, for teens last December.

Published – March 06, 2026 07:22 pm IST