Karnataka Budget 2026-27: Education sector highlights

The Karnataka government outlines sweeping education reforms in 2026-27, from upgrading schools and colleges, implementing AI-assisted learning, to free textbooks, mental health support, and new teacher recruitment drives.

The Karnataka government has unveiled a comprehensive set of education initiatives for the financial year 2026-27, focusing on strengthening school infrastructure, improving higher education, and integrating digital and AI-based learning for students across the state. These measures aim to enhance learning quality, student well-being, and institutional efficiency.

The state continues its commitment to upgrading the quality of education under the “Better Learning, Bright Future” motto. A total of 184 senior primary schools will be upgraded to high schools, and 50 high schools will be elevated to pre-university colleges, ensuring smooth academic progression for students.

To simplify administrative processes, private schools seeking recognition or renewal can now submit applications and documents online, streamlining approvals. For the first time, student benefits are being delivered through direct benefit transfer (DBT). Additionally, rural certificates and Kannada medium study certificates are now issued online.

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Over 800 public schools will be upgraded with financial assistance from ADB (500 schools), KKRDB (200 schools), and KMERC (100 schools) at a combined investment of ₹3,900 crore over the next three years. These schools will provide quality education under one roof.

Teacher recruitment is a priority. Vacant posts in Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) will be filled as a top priority, and 15,000 teaching positions across schools and colleges will be filled in the current year.

To strengthen infrastructure, ₹565 crore is allocated for new classroom construction and repairs, ₹75 crore for toilet facilities, and ₹25 crore for school furniture. An additional ₹125 crore will directly support school and college development committees.

For language skill development, ₹24 crore will be spent on English language training for primary school teachers to support bilingual classrooms.

AI-assisted learning is being introduced in collaboration with IIT Dharwad, providing approximately 12.28 lakh students (grades 8-12) with digital self-learning tutors at an estimated cost of ₹5 crore.

Mental health initiatives are also prioritized, with qualified counselors appointed in 204 BRC centers to support student well-being.

The government will continue providing free textbooks, including activity books for pre-primary, value education books for grades 1-10, and textbooks for pre-university students.

Social media use will be restricted for children below 16 years, while strict measures and awareness programs will curb substance abuse in schools and colleges.

The Karnataka Higher Education Transformation Project (ADB-assisted, ₹2,500 crore) will enhance government first-grade colleges and polytechnics, strengthening research, innovation, and start-up culture. 40 colleges and 11 polytechnics will be developed as model institutions, and 9 excellence centers will be created for entrepreneurship and innovation.

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Teacher recruitment will continue in colleges, engineering institutions, polytechnics, and UVCE universities, filling 2,000 announced posts and eventually 1,000 more posts in public universities.

Infrastructure improvements include ₹31 crore for essential facilities in 25 colleges with more than 50 female students, and ₹100 crore over three years for furniture and building upgrades in 50 large colleges.

New higher education institutions will be established, including first-grade colleges in Vijayapura, Belagavi, Mysuru, and Raichur, and residential colleges in Kalaburagi, Yadgiri, Raichur, and Koppal with ₹18 crore each.

The state will introduce 15 new courses in high-demand fields such as AI, machine learning, cloud computing, mining, and automation engineering across 11 polytechnics and Chitradurga Engineering College.

Women students in STEM fields will receive skill development training through a partnership with AnitaB.org India at a cost of ₹13.50 crore for 3,000 graduates.

Visvesvaraya Technological University will be developed along IIT standards with an ongoing allocation of ₹500 crore, including ₹100 crore already provided.

For student welfare, 37,000 pre-university students will continue to receive ₹30,000 annual scholarships under the “Deepika Vidyarthi Vetan” program supported by the state and Azim Premji Foundation.

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Female guest lecturers in colleges and engineering institutions will receive 90 days of maternity leave, and modern equipment will be provided to sound recording, cinematography, and engineering courses at the state film and television institute in Hesaraghatta.

To ensure safe and inclusive education, the Rohith Vemula Act will be enforced across universities to curb caste-based harassment. Student leadership will also be promoted through organized student union elections.

Digital learning centers worth ₹10 crore each will be established in Dharwad and Bengaluru to prepare students for competitive exams.

Finally, NCC participation will be expanded, increasing cadet strength by 10,000 over two years from the current 96,000, and 25 acres in Basavakalyan will be allocated for a private Vachana university.