Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday announced a series of employment, education, technology and infrastructure initiatives during the state’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in Bengaluru.

Hoisting the national flag at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground, the Chief Minister outlined the government’s development vision under the theme “Yuva Karnataka, Nava Bharat.”

72,000 government vacancies

Shivakumar announced the launch of the Chief Minister’s Jobs Mission, under which recruitment notifications for around 72,000 vacant government posts are expected to be issued within the next six months.

The government will also introduce the Yuva Udyoga Setu platform to connect job seekers with private-sector employers. Under the proposed Udyoga Nidhi scheme, businesses creating jobs in Karnataka’s 10 most backward districts will receive an incentive of Rs 2,500 per job per month for two years.

AI University and coding education

The Chief Minister announced plans to establish India’s first public AI University in Bengaluru, with certificate courses expected to begin by January 2027.

The government will also launch AI Akshara Abhiyana and Coding Gurukul to introduce artificial intelligence and coding education in schools from Class VI onwards.

In higher education, the Vidyarthi Sahayahasta initiative will reserve 7.5% of seats within the existing 15% rural quota for students from rural government schools seeking admission to professional courses, including engineering and medicine.

Tech hubs across Karnataka

To promote development beyond Bengaluru, the government plans to establish five Global Technology Centres under the LEAP programme in Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru and Mysuru.

An Advanced Manufacturing Cluster, with an investment commitment of Rs 20,000 crore, is also planned at Doddaballapura.

Support for farmers

The government announced the CM Raitha Chaitanya Yojane, which will use drones and satellite technology for crop monitoring. Under the Raitha Mitra scheme, small farmers owning up to three acres will receive a 50% subsidy on the rental of agricultural equipment.

Bengaluru infrastructure and policing

Shivakumar also highlighted major infrastructure plans for Bengaluru, including the 117-km Bengaluru Business Corridor, expansion of Namma Metro to 220 km under Phase 3, and the development of five Lalbagh-style Tree Parks.

The Bengaluru Police Commissionerate will also be reorganised into five separate commissionerates, along with the formation of a new Anti-Rowdy Squad.

“If India is a temple, the States are its pillars,” Shivakumar said, stressing that Karnataka’s development would contribute directly to India’s growth.