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Karnataka government has announced to establish a new Medical College in Puttur, Dakshina Kannada district.
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah presents his 16th budget with a Rs 4 lakh crore outlay, including Rs 1 crore aid for top students, 500 new public schools, and 16 new women’s colleges. (Image/PTI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is presenting his 16th budget, which is expected to have an outlay of Rs 4 lakh crore, marking an increase from last year’s Rs 3.71 lakh crore. The Karnataka Legislative session began on March 3, with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot’s address. Among the key highlights of this year’s budget, the state has outlined significant investments in the education sector, focusing on expanding access to quality education, improving infrastructure, and supporting marginalized communities.
The Karnataka state government has made several important announcements aimed at strengthening educational opportunities for students across various sectors. Some of the key education-related measures include:
Financial Support For Students In Prestigious Institutions: Eligible students admitted to top institutions like the London School of Economics (LSE) and Columbia University will receive Rs 1 crore in financial assistance.
Scholarship Program: Rs 120 crore has been sanctioned for student scholarships to continue supporting deserving candidates in their academic pursuits.
Upgradation Of Residential Schools: 31 residential schools for SC/ST and backward class students will be upgraded to Pre-University (PU) colleges to enhance educational opportunities for marginalized communities.
Public Schools Expansion: 500 new Karnataka Public Schools will be set up with support from the Asian Development Bank, at a cost of Rs 2,500 crore.
Residential Schools for Construction Workers’ Children: New residential schools will be built for the children of construction workers to ensure they receive quality education.
High School and School Infrastructure Upgrades: 50 high schools will be upgraded, and 100 government primary schools will receive additional facilities to enhance infrastructure.
Hostel Repairs: Rs 25 crore has been allocated for repairs to student hostels to improve accommodation for students.
New Medical College in Puttur: A new Medical College will be established in Puttur, Dakshina Kannada district, to improve healthcare education.
Infrastructure Development: 61 KREIS residential schools will receive new buildings at a cost of Rs 1,292 crore to improve the learning environment.
Women’s Colleges: 16 new women’s colleges will be established in Waqf institution plots in 2025-26 to provide better access to higher education for women.
Promotion of Buddhist Studies: A Buddhist Study Academy will be set up in Bengaluru to promote research and learning in Buddhist studies.
Digitalization Of Mahabodhi Study Centre Library: The century-old library at the Mahabodhi Study Centre in Bengaluru will be digitalized and upgraded with an allocation of Rs 1 crore.
Training For Minority Students: Special training programs will be provided to minority students to help them prepare for competitive exams.
Honorarium Increases: Monthly honorariums for government school cooks will be increased by Rs 1,000, and guest teachers and lecturers will receive an additional Rs 2,000 as a monthly honorarium.
Agricultural Education: A new agricultural college will be established in Athani to promote agricultural education in the state.
Expansion of Commerce Stream: The Commerce stream will be introduced in 62 Morarji Desai Residential Schools for Minorities, where PU classes were introduced in the 2023-24 academic year.
