Sarala, a domestic worker travelling daily from Ganganagar to Hebbal, used to spend ₹20 every day on bus fare. Since June 2023, that ₹20 stays in her pocket. Over a year — more than ₹7,000 saved. Enough for things her household actually needed.
Sanjana, a college student, used to pay ₹1,500 every semester for her bus pass. Now — zero. “I can buy something useful for my family,” she said on the day the scheme launched.
Shakti Yojane (ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆ) — Karnataka Government’s free bus travel scheme for women. Launched June 11, 2023, by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, one of the five Congress guarantee schemes. By January 2026, beneficiaries had taken more than 660 crore free journeys — a Golden Book of World Records achievement for the highest number of women passengers on public transport globally.
Apply via: sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in or nearest bus depot Helpline: 1800-425-9339
Quick Answer (ದ್ರುತ ಉತ್ತರ): Eligibility: All women + transwomen with Karnataka domicile — no income limit, no age limit How to travel: Show Aadhaar to conductor → zero-fare ticket Buses covered: Ordinary, City, Express (non-AC) — KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, KKRTC NOT covered: AC buses (Airavat, Club Class, Flybus, AC Sleeper) Smart Card: Rolling out mid-2026 — NCMC-based Helpline: 1800-425-9339
What Is Shakti Yojane?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Launched | June 11, 2023 |
| Benefit | 100% free bus travel for women |
| Eligibility | All women + transwomen — Karnataka domicile |
| Income limit | None |
| Age limit | None — minor girls can travel with guardian’s Aadhaar |
| Total rides (Jan 2026) | 660+ crore journeys |
| World record | Golden Book of World Records — most women passengers globally |
Eligibility — Simple and Open
No income limit. No caste-based criterion. No age restriction. Any woman with Karnataka domicile = eligible. Transwomen = explicitly included and eligible. Men, including senior citizens and male students = NOT eligible. Minor girls = can travel using a guardian’s Aadhaar card.
How to Travel — No Application Needed
Step 1: Board any eligible KSRTC / BMTC / NWKRTC / KKRTC bus
Step 2: Show your Aadhaar card to the conductor
Step 3: Conductor issues a zero-fare (pink) ticket
Step 4: Travel — keep the ticket until you reach destination
No registration required for Aadhaar-based travel. Works immediately — same day, no waiting period.
Which Buses Are Covered
| Bus Type | Covered? |
|---|---|
| Ordinary / City buses | ✅ Free |
| Express (non-AC) | ✅ Free |
| Airavat / Airavat Club Class | ❌ Not covered (AC/luxury) |
| Flybus | ❌ Not covered |
| AC Sleeper | ❌ Not covered |
| Private buses | ❌ Not covered — government buses only |
About 94% of all KSRTC/BMTC/NWKRTC/KKRTC schedules are covered under this scheme.
⭐ Shakti Smart Card — Coming Mid-2026
Biggest 2026 update:
Government is rolling out a Shakti Smart Card — NCMC-based (National Common Mobility Card). Will replace manual Aadhaar verification with digital tap-and-go validation. Real-time usage data will be captured for better service planning. Rollout expected: mid-2026 — pilot phase first.
Two ways to apply (once available):
- Walk-in at any KSRTC/BMTC bus depot — card issued on the spot
- Online via sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in
Until smart card rollout completes — continue using Aadhaar card as usual.
Impact So Far — Real Numbers
660+ crore free rides (January 2026) 5,800 new buses added since 2023 10,000 new jobs created across transport corporations ₹2,000 crore in old debts cleared by government Daily ridership rose from 85.84 lakh to 1.17 crore Women’s employment in Bengaluru rose 23%; Hubballi-Dharwad 21% Karnataka became No. 1 in per capita income in India (partly attributed to this)
Cost to Government — Is It Sustainable?
Scheme has generated ₹300+ crore in GST for the state (2023-24 alone) through increased economic activity. Total ticket value of free rides: over ₹12,600 crore. Government has committed to running this scheme for at least 10 years.
Some economists and MLAs have raised sustainability concerns — buses being overcrowded during peak hours is a known issue, alongside funding questions.
Common Problems + Fix
“Conductor asking for fare despite showing Aadhaar”: This should not happen for eligible buses (ordinary/express, non-AC). Note bus number and conductor details. Complain at: 1800-425-9339.
“Aadhaar not available — can I still travel?”: Carry any valid government photo ID as alternative. Aadhaar is preferred but other IDs may be accepted by conductors.
“Travelling on AC/Airavat bus — fare being charged”: Correct — AC/luxury buses are NOT covered under Shakti scheme. Regular fare applies.
“Smart Card not available yet”: Rollout is mid-2026, phased. Continue using Aadhaar card until your area gets smart card access.
“Transwoman denied free travel”: This is incorrect under scheme rules — transwomen are explicitly eligible. File complaint at helpline immediately.
FAQ — ಪದೇ ಪದೇ ಕೇಳಲಾಗುವ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳು
Shakti Yojane ಯಾರಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಹತೆ ಇದೆ? (Who is eligible?) Karnataka domicile ಇರುವ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು ಮತ್ತು transwomen. Income limit illa, age limit illa.
ಪ್ರಯಾಣ ಹೇಗೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು? (How to travel?) Aadhaar card conductor ge show maadi. Zero-fare ticket sigutte. No application needed.
Smart Card ಯಾವಾಗ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ? (When will Smart Card arrive?) Mid-2026 rollout expected. Until then Aadhaar continue use maadi.
AC bus la free aaguttada? (Is AC bus free?) No. Airavat, Club Class, Flybus, AC Sleeper — ee buses la regular fare applies aaguttade.
Helpline: 1800-425-9339 | sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in
Official Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Seva Sindhu | sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in |
| KSRTC | ksrtc.in |
| BMTC | mybmtc.com |
| Helpline | 1800-425-9339 |
Sanjana now saves ₹3,000 every semester. Sarala saves ₹20 every day. Multiplied across 660+ crore rides — this is the largest free public transport program for women anywhere in the world.
Karnataka women — Shakti Yojane needs no application. Just show your Aadhaar card on any KSRTC, BMTC, NWKRTC, or KKRTC ordinary/express bus. ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಮಹಿಳೆಯರು — ಶಕ್ತಿ ಯೋಜನೆಗೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಬೇಕಿಲ್ಲ। ಆಧಾರ್ ಕಾರ್ಡ್ ತೋರಿಸಿ ಉಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಿಸಿ।
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