Karnataka Budget 2025-26 announcements for minority welfare

15 women’s colleges to be built in Waqf plots

Karnataka Budget 2025-26 announcements for minority welfare: 15 women’s colleges to be built in Waqf plots

The Karnataka Budget 2025-26 encompasses a series of announcements for improvement of Madarsa education and subsidies for minority students with grants of separate funds under the department of social welfare for education.

Here are a list of announcements made

Moulana Azad Model English Medium Schools: 250 schools to be started from pre-primary to PU level in phases with a Rs. 500 crore programme, with Rs. 100 crore allocated this year. Collaboration with the School Education Department

Urdu Medium Schools: 100 high-enrollment Urdu medium schools will be upgraded to Maulana Azad Public Schools with Rs. 100 crore allocated this year, part of a Rs. 400 crore initiative for basic facilities and improved learning standards

Morarji Desai Residential Schools: Commerce stream to be introduced in 62 schools where PU classes started in 2023-24.

Madrasas: Basic facilities (computers, smart boards) will be provided to madrasas to prepare students for the SSLC exam through NIOS

Minority Youth Start-ups: Encouragement for minority youth to start new ventures via the Karnataka Minority Development Corporation

Competitive Exam Training: Career guidance and competitive exam training for minority students in post-matric hostels

Regional Centre at Haj Bhavan: A regional centre for Karnataka State Open University will be set up in Haj Bhavan offering degree and postgraduate courses for minority students

Self-defence Training: 25,000 girls in 169 residential schools/colleges run by Directorate of Minorities will receive self-defence training

Women’s Colleges: 15 women’s colleges to be built in Waqf institution plots in 2024-25, and 16 more in 2025-26 to support higher education for minority women

Buddhist Study Academy: A Buddhist Study Academy to be established in Bengaluru, with the Mahabodhi Study Centre’s 100-year-old library to be digitalized at a cost of Rs. 1 crore.

Upgrading ITI Colleges: Additional classes to be started in ITIs in areas with high minority populations.

Fee Reimbursement for Minority Students: 50% fee reimbursement for minority students in professional courses up to Rs. 5 lakh through KEA admissions.

National Foreign Student Scholarship: Scholarship for minority students increased from Rs. 20 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh.

PU College in Ullal: A PU college with hostel facilities to be started for minority girls in Ullal.

Tribal Education: 7th standard classes to begin in 78 Tribal Residential Schools in 2025-26, with 5 schools in Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, and Kodagu districts upgraded to class 12.