Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented the state’s ₹4.48 lakh crore Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly at Vidhana Soudha, marking his record 17th budget. A key announcement was a proposed ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, aimed at protecting young people from the harmful effects of excessive mobile phone usage and digital addiction.
The state government said the measure is part of broader efforts to safeguard children’s mental well-being while promoting responsible digital behaviour. Alongside this proposal, the budget outlines a development roadmap focused on technology-driven growth, infrastructure expansion, welfare schemes and environmental sustainability, including plans to develop Mysuru as a second IT hub to reduce pressure on Bengaluru.
The budget also includes investments in electric mobility, education, irrigation projects and welfare initiatives targeting marginalised communities.
Focus On Digital Safety, Technology And Infrastructure
While presenting the budget, Siddaramaiah emphasised that restricting social media access for minors is intended to address the growing influence of smartphones and online platforms on children’s mental health and behaviour. “With the objective of preventing adverse effects of increasing mobile usage on children, usage of social media will be banned for children under the age of 16,” the Chief Minister said during his speech.
The proposed restriction could make Karnataka one of the first states in India to introduce such a policy, reflecting rising concerns about screen addiction, cyberbullying and exposure to harmful online content among young users. The government believes excessive social media use has contributed to declining academic focus and behavioural changes among teenagers, prompting policymakers to explore regulatory interventions alongside awareness campaigns.
Beyond the social media proposal, the budget emphasises innovation and economic growth. The government announced that AI Data Labs will be established in 50 government colleges across tier-2 and tier-3 cities with a grant of ₹10 crore to strengthen digital skills and improve employability among rural youth.
Several initiatives aimed at boosting startups and entrepreneurship outside Bengaluru have also been proposed under the LEAP programme. These include incubation centres and industry-academia partnerships to encourage innovation in emerging technology sectors.
Infrastructure development forms another major pillar of the budget. The government unveiled a ₹2,000-crore electric bus programme with support from the World Bank that will add 4,000 electric buses across the state and modernise bus depots.
The plan aims to reduce emissions while improving public transport connectivity across urban and semi-urban areas. Additionally, the state has approved major tunnel road corridors in Bengaluru designed to ease traffic congestion in the rapidly expanding metropolis.
Welfare, Irrigation And Regional Development Initiatives
The 2026–27 budget also emphasises welfare and social development programmes targeting vulnerable communities. One of the notable announcements is the revival of the Mathru Poorna scheme, which provides hot-cooked meals to pregnant and lactating women at anganwadi centres. The government acknowledged that replacing the programme with take-home rations had diluted its impact on addressing anaemia and malnutrition among women, prompting its restoration.
The budget also outlines significant investments in healthcare and education infrastructure. Plans include establishing new medical colleges, strengthening super-speciality hospitals and creating training opportunities in emerging technologies for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A loan scheme has been proposed to support engineering graduates from backward communities to pursue AI training at premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management, helping them acquire advanced technical skills.
In the water and irrigation sector, the government reiterated its commitment to push forward major projects aimed at addressing water scarcity and improving agricultural resilience. Among them is the long-pending Mekedatu balancing reservoir project on the Cauvery river, which has been opposed by neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Siddaramaiah described the dismissal of petitions against the project as a “significant legal victory” for Karnataka and reaffirmed the state’s intention to continue pursuing approvals and negotiations related to the project.
Regional development initiatives also form an important part of the budget strategy. The government has proposed investments in road infrastructure under the ‘Kalyana Patha’ scheme to improve connectivity in the Kalyana Karnataka region. In addition, plans to develop Mysuru as the state’s second IT city aim to distribute economic growth beyond Bengaluru, create new employment opportunities and reduce urban congestion in the state capital.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The proposal to restrict social media access for children under 16 highlights a growing global concern about the influence of digital platforms on young minds. Across the world, governments are grappling with questions about how to balance children’s safety with the opportunities offered by technology. Karnataka’s move reflects an attempt to address rising anxiety among parents and educators about screen addiction, cyberbullying and online misinformation.
However, the debate also raises complex questions about enforcement, digital rights and the role of parents, schools and technology companies in protecting children online. Experts argue that while regulation may help create awareness and set boundaries, long-term solutions may also require digital literacy programmes, responsible platform design and stronger parental guidance.
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