Karnataka sets 2047 vision: 1 lakh new jobs, AI university, $3 trillion economy
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on August 15 outlined an ambitious development agenda for the state, focusing on employment generation, artificial intelligence (AI) education, and infrastructure expansion, with a long-term target of making Karnataka a $3 trillion economy by 2047.
Speaking at the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru, Shivakumar announced the launch of two schemes — Chief Minister Udyoga Sankalpa and Udyoga Nidhi — aimed at improving employment opportunities and encouraging job creation. He said the state government has begun the process of filling 72,000 key vacancies, with notifications for all posts expected within the next six months.
Under Udyoga Nidhi, entrepreneurs in 10 economically backward districts will receive an incentive of ₹2,500 per month for every new job created. The government targets one lakh additional jobs through this initiative.
In the education and technology sector, the Chief Minister said AI will be introduced in government schools from class 6. The government also plans to launch the AI Akshara Abhiyana and Coding Gurukula programmes. Bengaluru will get the country’s first government-owned AI university, and AI hubs will be established to strengthen the state’s technology ecosystem.
Under the 'Beyond Bengaluru' initiative, five global technology centres are proposed in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, and Mysuru. An Advanced Manufacturing Cluster is being set up in Doddaballapura, with investment commitments of ₹20,000 crore and an expected employment potential of around one lakh jobs.
Shivakumar said Karnataka is targeting a $3 trillion economy, equivalent to ₹320 lakh crore, by 2047. He noted that the state’s per capita income has reached ₹4.33 lakh, and Karnataka ranks second in GST and income-tax collections.
Calling for public participation, he said, “Two hands alone are not enough to pull the chariot of the State’s development. The hands of every Kannadiga must join mine. Let us come together and pull the chariot of development.”
The government plans to integrate technology into agriculture through the Chief Minister Raitha Chaitanya scheme, using drones and satellite imagery for crop surveys. The Raitha Mitra scheme will provide farmers owning three acres or less with a 50% subsidy on agricultural machinery rental charges.
On infrastructure, Shivakumar said 1,663 km of state highways, 3,000 km of major district roads, and 125 bridges have been constructed over the past year. Development of 7,100 km of rural roads is under way under the Pragathi Patha scheme with an investment of ₹5,200 crore.
For Bengaluru, infrastructure projects worth ₹1.50 lakh crore have been taken up. The Namma Metro network is expected to expand to 220 km after completion of Phase III, while a 117-km ring road under the Bengaluru Business Corridor is planned at a cost of ₹26,000 crore.
On water security, the Chief Minister said 112 major water-resource projects worth ₹16,000 crore have been approved this year. The first phase of the Yettinahole Integrated Drinking Water Project is nearing completion, with water expected to reach Tumakuru district by November.
Shivakumar also announced plans to establish the Karnataka State Motor Vehicle Insurance Corporation to provide simpler insurance services to vehicle owners.
Highlighting welfare measures, he said ₹77,000 crore has so far been transferred directly to 1.28 crore women under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, while 1.65 crore households are receiving free electricity under Gruha Jyothi. Women in Karnataka have made around 796 crore free journeys under the Shakti scheme.