Karnataka Budget 2026–27 presented, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said—State leading in every field

March 6, 2026

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the budget for the financial year 2026–27 in the Assembly on Friday. This is his 17th budget, with a total size of ₹4,48,004 crore, an increase of 13.3 percent from the revised estimate for 2025–26.

Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka is leading the country in all areas of development. “We are among the major states that contribute the most to the country’s tax revenue,” he said.

Defending Guarantee Schemes

The Chief Minister defended the guarantee schemes, saying that these schemes have improved the economic condition of crores of families and increased people’s purchasing power.

However, targeting the central government, he said, “A cow that produces more milk needs proper care. It is Bhishma’s principle that if a cow becomes weak, the entire cowshed is affected. Keeping this principle in mind, we urge the central government to be sensitive to the needs of the state.”

Allegations of Discrimination against the Centre

He said that progress in a diverse country like India is possible only through a truly cooperative federal system.

He alleged that the central government is being unfair to the state. “The reduced central share in centrally sponsored schemes, discriminatory allocations in central sector schemes, injustice due to the revenue sharing formula of the 15th Finance Commission, the non-implementation of special grants recommended by the same commission, and the premature rationalization of GST rates—all these have put additional pressure on the state’s treasury.”

Karnataka’s Economy Strong

Siddaramaiah said that Karnataka’s real GSDP growth rate in 2025–26 was 8.1 percent, higher than the national growth rate of 7.4 percent.

He said that while FDI in many large states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi has declined, FDI in Karnataka has increased 2.6 times, making the state an attractive destination for investment.

Emphasis on Employment and Infrastructure

The Chief Minister said that Karnataka today is a leader in information technology, IT services, biotechnology, aerospace and defense manufacturing, electronics and semiconductor design, startup innovation, and advanced manufacturing.

He informed that the government is strengthening the administrative system by filling vacant posts in key departments. This year, the process to fill 56,432 posts has been initiated, and a one-time relaxation of five years in the upper age limit has been granted to address recruitment delays.

The Chief Minister said that construction of roads, bridges, and public buildings is also being given priority. Works worth ₹8,600 crore have been initiated under the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Program, and works worth ₹4,000 crore will be completed in the second phase this year.