Karnataka Budget 2026–27: ₹4.48 Lakh Crore Outlay, Social Media Ban for Under-16s Announced

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented the state Budget for the financial year 2026–27 with a total outlay of ₹4,48,004 crore, reflecting a 13.3 per cent increase over the revised estimates of ₹3,95,307 crore for FY26. The fiscal deficit is projected at ₹97,449 crore, accounting for 2.95 per cent of the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), while total liabilities are estimated at ₹8,24,389 crore or 24.94 per cent of GSDP. The government expects borrowings of ₹1.32 trillion, with revenue receipts estimated at ₹3,15,050 crore against revenue expenditure of ₹3,38,007 crore, resulting in a revenue deficit of ₹22,957 crore.

Presenting his 17th Budget, Siddaramaiah stated that Karnataka’s economy continues to grow faster than the national average, driven by both government initiatives and private investments. A key highlight of the budget was the announcement of a ban on social media usage for children below 16 years to address the growing concerns about excessive mobile and digital platform usage among youngsters. If implemented, Karnataka will become the first Indian state to introduce such an age-based restriction.

The Budget also outlines major allocations for education, welfare, infrastructure, and technology. The government plans to fill 15,000 vacant teaching posts and upgrade 800 institutions into Karnataka Public Schools over three years at an estimated cost of ₹3,900 crore. Women-centric programmes will receive ₹94,663 crore, including ₹28,608 crore for the Gruhalakshmi scheme and ₹5,300 crore for the Shakti free bus travel programme for women. Infrastructure initiatives include the construction of an intermediate ring road in Bengaluru, procurement of 1,000 diesel buses, and a ₹2,000 crore electric bus programme. The state also announced the launch of the Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone (BRAINz) in collaboration with IISc and ISRO, along with new investments in police modernisation, a Science City in Bengaluru, and wildlife conflict mitigation programmes.

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