Karnataka Sarkari Yojana · Free Bus Pass · Updated June 2026
Karnataka Shakti Smart Card 2026 — Free Bus Pass for Every Woman: Complete Apply Guide, Eligibility & Latest Updates
Over 763 crore free bus journeys and counting. Karnataka's Shakti Scheme is one of India's most impactful women's welfare programs — and getting your Shakti Smart Card is simpler than you think. Here is everything you need to know, step by step.
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What Is the Karnataka Shakti Smart Card Scheme?
The Shakti Scheme is a flagship women's welfare initiative launched by the Karnataka government on 11 June 2023. Under this scheme, all women who are residents of Karnataka can travel absolutely free in state-run public transport buses — simply by presenting their Shakti Smart Card, which functions as a free bus pass.
The scheme was announced by Smt. Priyanka Gandhi before the Karnataka state assembly elections and was one of five poll guarantees made by the Congress party. True to its promise, the newly elected Congress government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the scheme within just 20 days of taking office — making Karnataka one of the first states in India to deliver such a sweeping women's mobility benefit at this scale.
"Women represented only 24% of India's formal and informal workforce and since 2014, their participation has been shrinking. The Shakti scheme will help women to be part of the workforce and will contribute to the development of the State and the country."
— Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, at the Shakti Scheme launch, Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru
| Shakti Smart Card Scheme — At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Shakti Scheme (ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆ) |
| State | Karnataka |
| Launch Date | 11 June 2023 |
| Launched By | CM Siddaramaiah, DyCM D.K. Shivakumar & Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy |
| Benefit | Free travel in state-run public transport buses for all women |
| Beneficiaries | ~42 lakh women — 30 lakh working women + 8 lakh girl students |
| Apply At | sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in |
| 2026 Update | Voter list linkage mandatory; 10 lakh student bus passes planned |
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Latest Shakti Scheme Updates 2026
Three years after its launch, the Shakti Scheme has achieved remarkable numbers — and in 2026, the government has introduced important new conditions and expansions that every beneficiary needs to know.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced that from 2026, only women whose names appear in the Karnataka electoral roll are eligible for Shakti scheme benefits. With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway, women must verify their names are not removed. Check your name on the ECI portal or the Karnataka CEO website immediately if you are a Shakti scheme beneficiary.
Who Is Eligible for the Shakti Smart Card?
The Shakti scheme is designed to be inclusive, covering a wide range of women across Karnataka. Here is the complete eligibility picture for 2026:
Who can apply: All women who are permanent residents (domicile) of Karnataka — including girl students, working women in both organised and unorganised sectors, housewives, and senior women citizens. From 2026, the woman's name must additionally appear in the Karnataka electoral roll to receive benefits.
Who Cannot Apply
Women who are not domicile residents of Karnataka are not eligible. Women who do not have their names in the Karnataka voter list (from 2026) will also be restricted from availing scheme benefits until their names are added to the electoral roll.
How to Apply for Shakti Smart Card Online — Step-by-Step Guide
The online application is done through Karnataka's Seva Sindhu portal. Here is the complete process:
Open your browser and go to sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in. This is the official Karnataka government services portal where all scheme applications are processed.
If you do not already have an account, click the "New User Register Here" link on the homepage. You will need your Aadhaar number and access to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification.
Enter your Aadhaar number and the captcha code, then click "Next." Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number to complete identity verification.
After OTP validation, fill in the registration form with your email ID, mobile number, and a password of your choice. Enter the captcha and click "Submit" to create your Seva Sindhu account.
Use your registered mobile number along with your OTP or password to log in to the Seva Sindhu portal dashboard.
From your dashboard, click on "Apply for Services" or "View All Available Services" to see the full list of government schemes available online.
In the search box, type "Shakti" to locate the Shakthi Yojana service. Open the service, fill in the Karnataka Shakti Smart Card application form completely, and click Submit. Your application will be processed and the smart card issued to you.
The Karnataka government has instructed all RTCs (road transport corporations) to accept any Central or State government-issued photo identity card that includes your address — such as your Aadhaar card, voter ID, or ration card — to issue a "zero ticket" (free ticket) until your Shakti Smart Card is physically delivered to you.
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Which Buses Are Covered — and Which Are Not?
The free travel benefit applies to most state-run bus services, but not all. Knowing which services are included before you travel will save time and confusion.
- All general and express bus services
- KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation)
- NWKRTC (North West Karnataka RTC)
- KKRTC (Kalyana Karnataka RTC)
- BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan RTC) — all routes
- Rajahamsa & Non-AC Sleeper
- Vajra & Vayu Vajra
- Airavatha, Airavatha Club Class, Gold Class
- Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav
- Fly Bus
- EV Power Class
On all eligible bus services (except BMTC), the government has reserved 50% of seats for men. This means women travelling free under the Shakti scheme use the remaining 50% of available seats on those routes. No such reservation applies to BMTC city buses in Bengaluru.
Why the Shakti Scheme Matters: Impact on Women's Lives in Karnataka
When CM Siddaramaiah took on the symbolic role of a bus conductor at Bengaluru's Majestic bus station on the launch day — issuing free "zero tickets" to women passengers travelling to Dharmasthala — it was more than political theater. It signaled a genuine shift in how Karnataka's government views women's mobility as a prerequisite for economic participation.
The data since then has been striking. By the end of May 2026, women across Karnataka had taken over 763 crore free bus journeys — a number that represents an extraordinary increase in public transport usage by women. The cumulative ticket value of those journeys stands at approximately Rs 20,047.69 crore — money that women and their families did not have to spend on commuting.
The scheme's impact is especially significant for working women in unorganised sectors — domestic workers, agricultural laborers, small traders — for whom even modest daily bus fares previously represented a meaningful share of income. Girl students have also benefited significantly, with the government planning to issue approximately 10 lakh free bus passes for students in the 2026-27 academic year.
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Most Asked Questions About Karnataka Shakti Smart Card 2026
What is the Shakti Smart Card and what is it used for?
The Shakti Smart Card is a free bus pass issued by the Karnataka government to all eligible women residents. It allows holders to travel at zero cost in general and express services operated by state-run road transport corporations including KSRTC, NWKRTC, KKRTC, and BMTC. It was launched on June 11, 2023, and is one of Karnataka's five key government guarantee schemes.
How do I apply for the Karnataka Shakti Smart Card online?
Visit sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in. If you are a new user, click "New User Register Here" and complete Aadhaar-based OTP verification. After registration, log in, go to "View All Available Services," search for "Shakti," and fill in the application form. You will need your Aadhaar number, a mobile number linked to Aadhaar, and an email ID.
Is it mandatory for my name to be in the voter list to get Shakti scheme benefits?
Yes, from 2026. Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar has made the Karnataka electoral roll a requirement for all state guarantee scheme beneficiaries, including Shakti. Women should verify their names have not been removed during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by checking the ECI portal at voters.eci.gov.in or the Karnataka CEO's website at ceo.karnataka.gov.in.
Can I travel free in buses before my Shakti Smart Card is issued?
Yes. Until your physical smart card arrives, Karnataka's RTCs have been instructed to accept any Central or State government-issued photo identity card that includes your address — such as Aadhaar card, voter ID card, ration card, or government employee ID — to issue a "zero ticket" free of cost.
Which bus services are excluded from the Shakti free travel scheme?
Premium and air-conditioned bus services are excluded: Rajahamsa, non-AC sleeper, Vajra, Vayu Vajra, Airavatha, Airavatha Club Class, Airavatha Gold Class, Ambari, Ambari Dream Class, Ambari Utsav, Fly Bus, and EV Power Class. Women must pay full fare on these services. All general and express services remain free under the scheme.
How many women have benefited from the Shakti scheme so far?
By May 2026, approximately 763 crore (7.63 billion) free bus journeys have been taken by women under the Shakti scheme. The cumulative value of those free tickets has reached approximately Rs 20,047.69 crore. The government has also announced plans to issue around 10 lakh free student bus passes for the 2026-27 academic year.
Can women from other states apply for the Shakti Smart Card?
No. The Shakti scheme is restricted to women who are domicile residents of Karnataka. Proof of Karnataka residency is required. Women from other states residing temporarily in Karnataka are not eligible, as the scheme is designed specifically for Karnataka's women residents.
Are girl students eligible for the Shakti Smart Card?
Yes. Girl students are specifically included in the Shakti scheme's target group. The original scheme covered approximately 8 lakh girl students. For the 2026-27 academic year, the Karnataka government has announced plans to issue approximately 10 lakh free bus passes to students, indicating an expansion of student coverage under the scheme.
What documents are needed to apply for the Shakti Smart Card?
You will need: (1) your Aadhaar card number, (2) a mobile number linked to your Aadhaar for OTP verification, (3) an email address, and (4) proof that you are a Karnataka domicile resident. From 2026, your name must also appear in the Karnataka electoral roll. No physical documents need to be uploaded at the time of online application — Aadhaar-based verification handles identity authentication.
Final Word: Is the Shakti Scheme Working?
With 763 crore journeys completed and a cumulative ticket value exceeding Rs 20,000 crore, the numbers tell a clear story: the Shakti Scheme has become one of India's most utilized and impactful state-level welfare programs. It has directly improved the daily mobility of millions of women across Karnataka — from Bengaluru's urban commuters to women in rural districts who had previously avoided public transport due to cost.
The 2026 voter roll linkage adds a new administrative layer, but also ensures the benefits reach genuine Karnataka residents. Women who want to continue enjoying free bus travel should take the simple step of verifying their names on the electoral roll before the next Special Intensive Revision is finalized.
If you have not yet applied for your Shakti Smart Card, the process at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in is straightforward and takes only a few minutes with your Aadhaar number in hand. With 10 lakh new student passes also planned for 2026-27, the scheme continues to expand — making this an excellent time to get yours.
ⓘ This article is based on official Karnataka government announcements and verified public information as of June 2026. For the most current application status or portal updates, always refer to the official Seva Sindhu portal at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in or the Karnataka government's official communications.