Karnataka
Karnataka–and particularly its capital, Bengaluru–shot to prominence in the 1990s as the home of India’s burgeoning IT industry. While Bangalore now faces steeper competition for the title of India’s “Silicon Valley,” it is still one of the most important destinations for foreign and domestic investment in India. Coupled with the successful establishment of aerospace and biotech industries in the state, Karnataka has emerged as a top knowledge, research and innovation hub in Asia. However, periods of leading and lagging on reforms are the state’s main impediments to delivering on the development promises to its citizens.
State Policies
Solar Policy: Solar Policy (2014-2021)
Electric Mobility Policy: Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy (2017)
Industry Policy: Industrial Policy (2020-2025)
State Summary
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Size
74,051 sq. miles -
Population
61.1 million -
State GDP
$94.99 billion (USD) -
Legislative Assembly Seats
224
-
Rajya Sabha Seats
12 -
Lok Sabha Seats
20 -
Party Affiliation
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Climate Change
Subsectors
Recent Articles
Karnataka introduces the draft Karnataka Electric Vehicles (EVs) 2023-28 with the objective to attract an investment of $6 billion and generate job opportunities for 100,000 individuals
Posted on November 15, 2023Karnataka introduces the draft Karnataka Electric Vehicles (EVs) 2023-28 with the objective to attract an investment of $6 billion and generate job opportunities for 100,000 individuals.
Karnataka increases its electricity tariff by $0.0006 per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
Posted on April 13, 2022
Karnataka leads the Ministry of Power’s State Energy Efficiency Index, 2020
Posted on November 3, 2021
Energy
India faces a complex energy challenge: it needs cheap and abundant energy to power high economic growth and lift its citizens into the middle class. But it also hopes to keep its commitments to the U.N. Climate Change Convention and achieve energy independence. India’s states have the resources to generate the energy India needs, but they take different approaches to fostering the growth of the industry. This section allows you to explore energy news from India’s states and offers the Wadhwani Chair’s analysis of India’s energy sector.
Subsectors
Coal • Energy Efficiency • Energy-related Transportation • Nuclear • Oil and Gas • Power & Renewable Energy • Power • Renewables •Recent Articles
Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) introduces regulations governing peer-to-peer (P2P) solar energy transactions through a blockchain-based platform
Posted on January 31, 2024Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) introduces regulations governing peer-to-peer (P2P) solar energy transactions through a blockchain-based platform. This move is aimed at developing decentralized energy trading, enhancing efficiency, and promoting the use of innovative technology.
Karnataka releases the Karnataka State Energy Efficiency Action Plan
Posted on January 3, 2024Karnataka releases the Karnataka State Energy Efficiency Action Plan, outlining a strategic shift from conventional to solar-led electrification of buildings. The plan emphasizes the importance of BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) star ratings for buildings, including green buildings.
Karnataka waives arrears of $46.66 million of “Kuteera Bhagya”, “Bhagya Jyoti” and “Amruta Jyoti” scheme beneficiaries
Posted on November 29, 2023Karnataka waives arrears of $46.66 million of “Kuteera Bhagya”, “Bhagya Jyoti” and “Amruta Jyoti” scheme beneficiaries who were either getting power free of cost or at a highly subsidised rate. The three schemes have been merged as the “Gruha Jyoti” scheme under which beneficiaries are receiving free electricity up to 200 units for residential consumption.
Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) approves an additional surcharge of ~$0.017
Posted on November 29, 2023Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) approves an additional surcharge of ~$0.017 for consumers availing power through open access for the financial year 2023-24. The additional surcharge does not apply to captive consumption.
Related National Goals
U.S.–India Energy Cooperation Project Tracker — There is currently no data available for Karnataka. (updated July 3, 2019)
Solar Performance Tracker — Karnataka reaches 7885.57MW (updated March 31, 2021)
Wind Performance Tracker — Karnataka achieves 5268.15MW (updated March 30, 2021)
Finance
Finance
Subsectors
Recent Articles
Karnataka introduces the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Second Amendment) Act, 2023
Posted on December 20, 2023Karnataka introduces the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Taxation (Second Amendment) Act, 2023 reducing the tax on electric vehicles priced above $24,057, from 20 percent to 10 precent.
Karnataka promulgates an ordinance to amend the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act
Posted on October 4, 2023Karnataka promulgates an ordinance to amend the Karnataka Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act to impose a 28 percent GST on online gaming, casinos, and racecourses.
Karnataka passes the Karnataka GST (Amendment) Bill
Posted on July 26, 2023Karnataka passes the Karnataka GST (Amendment) Bill. The bill is aimed at increasing the audit and inspection of e-commerce players and address the challenges pertaining to the levy and collection of tax on intra-state supply of goods or services or both by the state government.
Health
While India’s healthcare system is expansive in terms of the number of beneficiaries covered, inequalities in access to high-quality yet affordable care continue to plague delivery systems and push citizens towards the more unregulated private sector. Similarly, while India’s National Health Policy of 2017 promises to reform this system, the responsibility to institute those reforms falls to the states who each have their own unique challenges and opportunities to meet the healthcare needs of their people. This section allows you to explore emerging healthcare policies and news covering new initiatives from India’s states and offers the Wadhwani Chair’s analysis of India’s healthcare sector.
Recent Articles
Karnataka approves the Karnataka Compulsory Service by Candidates Completed Medical Courses (Amendment) Bill
Posted on December 21, 2023Karnataka approves the Karnataka Compulsory Service by Candidates Completed Medical Courses (Amendment) Bill exempting MBBS graduates from mandatory rural service upon their selection for central or state government positions.
Karnataka announces the “Anaemia Mukt Poushtika Karnataka Action Plan”
Posted on November 29, 2023Karnataka announces the “Anaemia Mukt Poushtika Karnataka Action Plan” with an allocation of $22.2 million to eradicate anaemia in women and children in the state by 2025.
Karnataka approves the Brain Health Initiative with an outlay of $3 million
Posted on October 11, 2023Karnataka approves the Brain Health Initiative with an outlay of $3 million. Under the program, the government will start brain health clinics on a pilot basis in Kolar, Chikkaballapura and Bengaluru, and if successful, extend them to all districts in the state.
Karnataka launches a disease surveillance dashboard and a mobile application for effective monitoring and curbing of the vector-borne disease
Posted on September 13, 2023Karnataka launches a disease surveillance dashboard and a mobile application for effective monitoring and curbing of the vector-borne disease. Currently, the dashboard is focused on tracking instances of dengue, with the objective of adding other diseases in the future.
Industrial Policy and Business Regulations
Subsectors
Recent Articles
Karnataka proposes a plan to establish an industrial estate on 2,000 acres
Posted on December 20, 2023Karnataka proposes a plan to establish an industrial estate on 2,000 acres of land near Belagavi.
Karnataka releases the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy
Posted on December 6, 2023Karnataka releases the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy, at the Bengaluru Tech Summit, aimed at fostering development in the sectors and growing the state’s economy.
Karnataka releases the Draft Biotechnology Policy
Posted on December 6, 2023Karnataka releases the Draft Biotechnology Policy, at the Bangalore Tech Summit. The policy is focused on impactful implementation of the biotech projects in the state.
Karnataka approves the Karnataka Cyber Security Policy 2023-24
Posted on August 16, 2023Karnataka approves the Karnataka Cyber Security Policy 2023-24 aimed at curbing cybercrimes in the state and promoting data privacy in the state.
Infrastructure and Governance
Subsectors
Recent Articles
Karnataka issues a notification to bring 11,300 government employees to a defined pension scheme
Posted on January 31, 2024Karnataka issues a notification to bring 11,300 government employees to a defined pension scheme (old pension scheme) from the existing new pension scheme.
Karnataka modifies the rules governing the “Gruha Jyothi” scheme
Posted on January 24, 2024Karnataka modifies the rules governing the “Gruha Jyothi” scheme, which provides free electricity for consumption up to 200 units. Under the modifications, the government has decided to eliminate the 10% additional subsidy on average usage and instead introduce an allocation of 10 extra free units, irrespective of usage, up to the 200-unit limit.
Karnataka passes the Karnataka Goods & Services Tax (Amendment) Bill to levy 28 percent GST on online gaming
Posted on December 20, 2023Karnataka passes the Karnataka Goods & Services Tax (Amendment) Bill to levy 28 percent GST on online gaming.
Karnataka announces the “Yuva Nidhi” scheme
Posted on December 20, 2023Karnataka announces the “Yuva Nidhi” scheme which aims to provide monthly allowances to unemployed youth with degree and diplomas. Under the scheme, unemployed individuals from 18-25 years of age with a college degree will get an allowance of $36 per month, whereas individuals with diplomas will receive $15 per month. The registration for the scheme will begin from January 1 onwards.
Land & Labor Laws
Subsectors
Recent Articles
Karnataka launches the “Yuva Nidhi Scheme”
Posted on January 17, 2024Karnataka launches the “Yuva Nidhi Scheme” offering monthly unemployment stipends of $36 to graduates and $18 to diploma holders.
Karnataka revises the transaction value of properties in Bengaluru
Posted on September 28, 2023Karnataka revises the transaction value of properties in Bengaluru, increasing the guidance value or the circle rates by 25%-30% on an average. Plots near the national highways and in technology corridors such as electronic city, the jump in guidance value will be as high as 50%. The revised rate will go in effect from October 1.
Karnataka passes the Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2023
Posted on July 26, 2023Karnataka passes the Registration (Karnataka Amendment) Act, 2023, allowing for cancellation of property registrations based on forged documents. The amendment also provides for a jail term of up to three years for registration officials involved impropriety.
Karnataka approves the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2022
Posted on March 15, 2023
Water & Sanitation
Subsectors
Recent Articles
Karnataka receives approval for a $363 million loan from the World Bank
Posted on April 12, 2023Karnataka receives approval for a $363 million loan from the World Bank. The loan is aimed at providing clean drinking water supply to two million rural households in the state through door to door piped water connections.
Karnataka approves its Karnataka Water Policy 2022 with focus on conservation and regulating water usage
Posted on August 17, 2022