Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025: Free Bus Travel for Women, Apply Online Form
Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025: The Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025 is a flagship initiative launched by the Government of Karnataka to provide free bus travel facilities to women in the state. Introduced by the newly elected Congress government on 23rd June 2023, this scheme continues to offer immense support to millions of female citizens, empowering them through free and accessible travel options across Karnataka.
Overview of Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025
The Shakti Scheme aims to offer safe, free, and comfortable bus travel to women across the state in non-premium government buses operated by Karnataka’s transport corporations. The scheme is part of the Congress government’s five guarantees, which they had promised before the 2023 state assembly elections.
No Changes in Shakti Scheme: Official Update
According to the latest government update, there is no proposal to revise or discontinue the Shakti Scheme. Karnataka Chief Minister Shri Siddaramaiah has clearly stated that the scheme will continue without any alterations, ensuring that female passengers can keep enjoying the benefits of free bus travel.
This initiative has already made a major impact:
Over 229 crore bus rides have been availed under the scheme.
An estimated ₹5,500 crore worth of tickets have been covered.
Over 10 crore women have already benefitted from the scheme.
Objective of the Shakti Scheme
The primary goal of the Shakti Scheme is to:
Empower women by making transportation independent and free.
Improve mobility for women in urban and rural areas.
Enhance access to education, employment, and healthcare.
Increase financial savings by eliminating daily travel expenses.
Participating Bus Corporations
A total of 4 major state-run bus corporations are participating in the Shakti Scheme:
| Corporation Name | Full Form |
|---|---|
| KSRTC | Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation |
| BMTC | Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation |
| NWKRTC | North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation |
| KKRTC | Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation |
Key Features of the Shakti Scheme
Here are the main highlights and features of the Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025:
Free Bus Travel: Women can travel free of cost in government-run non-premium buses within Karnataka.
No Age or Income Limit: All women, regardless of age or income, are eligible.
No Application Required: There is no need to apply separately for the scheme.
Massive Reach: Over 229 crore trips and 10 crore beneficiaries so far.
Infrastructure Expansion: To meet growing demand, 5,676 new buses are being added.
Women Empowerment: Promotes financial independence and mobility for women.
Guaranteed Scheme: It is one of the five pre-election guarantees of the Congress government.
Eligibility Criteria for Shakti Scheme Karnataka
To benefit from the scheme, the following eligibility condition must be met:
Must be a female resident of Karnataka
Required Documents
While no formal application is needed, a valid Aadhar card with Karnataka address is necessary for identity verification and to avail bus passes where applicable.
Benefits of Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025
The Shakti Scheme brings multiple direct and indirect benefits to female citizens of the state:
Free Daily Travel: Helps women commute for work, education, healthcare, and errands.
Financial Relief: Saves thousands of rupees per month for women from low-income households.
Social Empowerment: Enables women to be self-reliant and mobile.
Better Access to Services: Improves access to government schemes, health centers, and markets.
Inclusive Development: Bridges the urban-rural mobility gap for women.
How to Avail Free Travel Under the Scheme?
There is no registration or online application process involved. To get free travel benefits:
Board any participating government bus (non-premium)
Carry Aadhar card or any government ID as proof of identity if asked
Obtain Shakti smart card/pass (Optional but beneficial for regular commuters. Some districts offer digital cards through Seva Sindhu portal)
Latest Statistics of Shakti Scheme
Here’s a quick look at the progress made under the scheme so far:
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| Scheme Launch Date | 23rd June 2023 |
| Total Free Rides (Approx) | 229 crore rides |
| Total Ticket Value Saved | ₹5,500 crore |
| Total Beneficiaries | 10 crore women |
| New Buses Introduced | 5,676 buses |
| Highest Cost Incurred By | KSRTC (₹2,077 crore) |
FAQs: Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025
Which state launched the Shakti Scheme 2025?
The Karnataka state government launched the Shakti Scheme in 2025.
Who is eligible for the Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025?
All female residents of Karnataka, regardless of income or age, are eligible.
Is any registration required to benefit from the Shakti Scheme?
No, there is no formal application or registration process.
When was the Shakti Scheme first launched?
The scheme was officially launched on 23rd June 2023.
Conclusion
The Shakti Scheme Karnataka 2025 is a game-changing initiative that is empowering women across Karnataka by providing free travel access. It not only ensures financial savings but also enhances freedom and opportunity for women from all walks of life. With its continued success and commitment from the state government, this scheme is a milestone in gender-inclusive public policy.