Bengaluru

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday announced a series of welfare and industrial initiatives ranging from filling 72,000 government vacancies to establishing India’s first public AI University aimed at propelling Karnataka toward a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground here, Shivakumar outlined his government’s strategic vision under the motto “Yuva Karnataka, Nava Bharat.”

Major employment push

Under the newly launched “Chief Minister’s Jobs Mission,” Shivakumar pledged that recruitment notifications for 72,000 key vacant posts across various government departments would be issued within the next six months.

The state will also launch the ‘Yuva Udyoga Setu’ platform to connect job seekers with private sector employers, alongside the ‘Udyoga Nidhi’ scheme, which provides an incentive of Rs 2,500 per month per job for two years to businesses generating employment in the state’s 10 most backward districts.

AI and educational reforms

Highlighting digital empowerment, the CM announced the ‘AI Akshara Abhiyana’ and ‘Coding Gurukul’ initiatives to integrate AI and coding education into the school curriculum from Class VI onwards. Bengaluru will host India’s first public AI University, with certificate courses slated to commence by January 2027.

To boost rural representation in higher education, the state introduced ‘Vidyarthi Sahayahasta’, reserving 7.5 per cent of seats within the existing 15 per cent rural quota for students from rural government schools applying for professional courses like engineering and medicine.

Beyond Bengaluru and agri-tech

To decentralise growth, five Global Technology Centres (GTCs) will be set up under the LEAP programme in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Mysuru. An Advanced Manufacturing Cluster with an investment commitment of Rs 20,000 crore is also slated for Doddaballapura.

For farmers, the government rolled out the ‘CM Raitha Chaitanya Yojane’ for drone and satellite-based crop monitoring, alongside ‘Raitha Mitra’, which offers a 50 per cent rental subsidy on agricultural equipment for smallholders owning up to three acres.

Infra and governance

Focusing on Bengaluru’s urban development, the CM highlighted the launch of the 117-km Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC), the expansion of Namma Metro to 220 km under Phase 3 and the creation of five Lalbagh-style Tree Parks to fight pollution. Additionally, the Bengaluru Police Commissionerate will be reorganised into five separate commissionerates alongside a new Anti-Rowdy Squad to enhance public safety.

He emphasised that state progress directly fuels national growth. “If India is a temple, the States are its pillars,” he said, calling upon citizens to jointly drive the state’s development.

Plans to realise the dream

Education & Technology

AI in schools: Launching the ‘AI Akshara Abhiyana’ and ‘Coding Gurukula’ programs to introduce Artificial Intelligence and coding starting from Class 6.

Public AI university: Establishing India’s first government-owned AI university in Bengaluru, with certificate courses planned to start by January 2027.

Rural quota support: Introducing ‘Vidyarthi Sahayahasta’ to reserve 7.5% of professional course seats within the rural quota for students from government schools.

Jobs & governance

Employment drive: Commencing the Chief Minister Employment Sankalpa to fill 72,000 vacant government posts, targeting one lakh new jobs over two years.

Police restructuring: Formalizing plans to split the Bengaluru police commissionerate into five distinct commissionerates to improve urban safety and administrative efficiency.

Infrastructure & urban plans: Advancing the Bengaluru Business Corridor, developing major lakes and tree parks, and setting up a dedicated Praja Seva department for public grievances.