Karnataka Shakti Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Karnataka Shakti Scheme is one of the flagship guarantee schemes launched by the Karnataka Government on 11 June 2023, with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation as the nodal department. The scheme aims to make public transportation more accessible and affordable for women. Under the scheme, eligible women can travel free of cost in covered government-operated bus services across Karnataka without paying any fare. By eliminating transportation expenses, the government aims to improve women's mobility, support their participation in education and employment, and reduce the financial burden on families.

Since its launch, the scheme has become one of the most widely used welfare initiatives in Karnataka, benefiting millions of women every day. Beneficiaries can travel anywhere within the state in eligible buses and receive a zero-value ticket during the journey. The scheme has especially helped working women, students, daily commuters, and women from economically weaker sections by enabling them to travel frequently without worrying about transportation costs. The Karnataka Government also supports students through the Karnataka Free Bus Pass Scheme for Students, which helps make daily transportation more affordable for eligible students. Along with other women-focused welfare initiatives such as the Karnataka Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, the Shakti Scheme provides additional support to beneficiaries by helping reduce their everyday financial burden.

The success of the Karnataka Shakti Scheme is reflected in its widespread adoption across the state. According to information shared by the Karnataka Government, the scheme has enabled more than 726 crore free journeys for women since its launch, with the government spending approximately ₹18,943 crore towards its implementation. The government stated that the Shakti Scheme has given women the freedom to travel with dignity, safety, and confidence while improving access to employment, education, healthcare, and other essential services. Over the years, the scheme has emerged as a major support system for crores of women across Karnataka by strengthening their mobility, independence, and economic participation.

At the time of launching the Shakti Scheme, the Karnataka Government announced that eligible beneficiaries would be issued dedicated Shakti Smart Cards for availing free travel benefits. However, the Smart Card registration and issuance process has not yet been officially opened. Until the Smart Card system becomes operational, eligible beneficiaries can continue to avail free travel benefits by showing a valid photo identity proof and obtaining a zero-value ticket from the conductor.

On 9 September 2026, the Karnataka Cabinet approved the Shakti Smart Card project at an estimated cost of ₹237 crore. The project will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with a proposed State Government contribution of ₹100 crore. The Karnataka Shakti card will help identify beneficiaries and record travel details such as the passenger, origin, destination, and distance travelled. The card is expected to be issued free of cost, and caste details will not be collected for its issuance. The government has not yet announced the registration process, required documents, or card distribution schedule. Until the card becomes operational, beneficiaries can continue using the existing identity-proof-based system under the Shakti Scheme.

Scheme Benefits

• Eligible women and transgender persons can travel free of cost on covered state-run non-luxury bus services within Karnataka.
• Women, including students and girls aged 6 years and above, can avail free travel benefits under the scheme.
• There is no prescribed travel-distance limit for eligible travel within Karnataka under the scheme.
• Beneficiaries can obtain a zero-value ticket by presenting a valid Government-issued photo identity document while travelling.
• The scheme helps beneficiaries reduce daily transportation expenses and improves access to education, employment, healthcare, and other essential services.

Buses Covered Under Karnataka Shakti Scheme

Women beneficiaries can avail free travel benefits under the Karnataka Shakti Scheme only in eligible government-operated bus services. The scheme covers selected categories of buses operated by Karnataka's state transport corporations. However, premium and luxury bus services are not included under the scheme.

• Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC)
• Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC)
• North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC)
• Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC)

Eligible Bus Categories

• Ordinary Services.
• City and Urban Transport Services.
• Express Services.
• Regular Non-Luxury Bus Services.

Buses Not Covered Under Shakti Scheme

• Volvo Services.
• Air-Conditioned (AC) Buses.
• AC Sleeper Buses.
• Non-AC Sleeper Buses.
• Luxury and Premium Bus Services.
• Any Other Special Category Buses Excluded by the Transport Corporations.

Women can travel free of cost only within the geographical limits of Karnataka in the eligible bus services covered under the Shakti Scheme.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible women and transgender persons who are domiciled in Karnataka can avail the benefits of the Shakti Scheme. Beneficiaries must carry a valid Government-issued photo identity document while travelling on covered buses.

• The beneficiary must be a woman or transgender person domiciled in Karnataka.
• Female students residing in Karnataka are eligible for the scheme.
• Girls aged 6 years and above are eligible for free travel benefits.
• The beneficiary must carry a valid Government-issued photo identity document while travelling.
• Free travel is available only on eligible state-run non-luxury bus services covered under the Shakti Scheme.

Required Documents

Until the Shakti Smart Card system becomes operational, women can avail free travel benefits by carrying any one of the following photo identity documents:

• Aadhaar Card.
• Voter Identity Card.
• Driving Licence.
• Passport.
• Any other Government-issued Photo Identity Card.

How to Avail Karnataka Shakti Scheme Benefits?

Eligible beneficiaries can avail free travel benefits under the Karnataka Shakti Scheme by travelling on covered government-operated buses. Until the Shakti Smart Card becomes operational, beneficiaries can use a valid Government-issued photo identity document to avail the Karnataka Shakti Scheme benefits.

• Board an eligible bus covered under the Karnataka Shakti Scheme.
• Carry a valid Government-issued photo identity document while travelling.
• Show the identity document to the conductor when required.
• The conductor will issue a zero-value ticket for the eligible journey under the Karnataka Shakti Scheme.
• No fare is charged from eligible beneficiaries for the covered journey.
• Beneficiaries can continue using this process until the Karnataka Government officially implements the Shakti Smart Card system.

Note: The detailed procedure for using the Karnataka Shakti Smart Card will be updated after the Karnataka Government officially announces the registration and operational guidelines.

Steps to Apply

The Karnataka Government has approved the rollout of a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)-based Shakti Smart Card for women beneficiaries. The official registration process has not been announced yet. However, the government is expected to provide the Smart Card application facility through the Seva Sindhu Portal.

• Visit the Seva Sindhu Portal once Smart Card registration begins.
• Log in using the registered mobile number and required credentials.
• Select the Karnataka Shakti Smart Card service.
• Fill in the required personal and address details.
• Upload the prescribed documents, if required.
• Submit the Smart Card application online.
• The application will be verified by the concerned department.
• After approval, the Shakti Smart Card will be issued to the beneficiary.
• Once issued, women may only need to present the Smart Card while travelling to avail free travel benefits.

Note: The above Smart Card application process is tentative in nature. The Karnataka Government has not yet released the official registration procedure, application form, or card distribution schedule.

Karnataka Free Bus Pass Scheme for Students

To further strengthen affordable public transportation in the state, the Karnataka Government has also introduced a free bus pass initiative for students studying in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions across the state. The scheme aims to reduce transportation expenses for students and improve access to education.

Eligible students can apply for the free bus pass online through the Seva Sindhu Portal. After successful registration and verification, beneficiaries can receive a student bus pass that allows them to avail transportation benefits as per the guidelines prescribed by the government and the concerned transport corporations.

While the Shakti Scheme provides free travel benefits to women passengers, the student bus pass initiative focuses on supporting students by making daily travel to educational institutions more affordable and accessible.

Relevant Links

• Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
• Karnataka Seva Sindhu Portal.
• Karnataka Shakti Scheme Guidelines.

Contact Information

• Karnataka Shakti Scheme Helpline Number: - 1902.