Karnataka Government’s flagship Shakti Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women across state-run transport corporations, has entered the Golden Book of World Records for catering to a record number of passengers. Between June 11, 2023, and July 20, 2025, the scheme facilitated over 500 crore ticketed journeys by women passengers across the state, according to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who formally announced the recognition in Bengaluru on Monday.
They credited the programme for empowering women socially, economically, and educationally.
Under the Shakti Scheme, implemented on June 11, 2023, women residing in Karnataka are allowed to travel for free in non-premium buses run by the four state-run transport corporations.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who was also present on the occasion, noted that the achievement came despite financial and operational challenges faced by the state transport corporations.
“Since the launch of Shakti, the state government has added 5,800 new buses, recruited 10,000 staff, and extended Rs 2,000 crore in financial assistance to clear debts of transport corporations,” he said.
Citing a study by the Sustainable Mobility Network, Reddy stated that the scheme has had a measurable economic impact. “Women’s employment rose by 23 per cent in Bengaluru and 21 per cent in Hubballi-Dharwad, contributing to higher state income levels,” he said.
“It is a proud moment that the Shakti scheme has entered the Golden Book for World Records. The fact that Shakti is being implemented in different states across the country under different names is a testament to the success of the scheme,” Reddy added.
Karnataka RTC wins Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards
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Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has recently added a feather to its cap by winning two prestigious awards at the Asia’s Best Employer Brand Awards – 2025, held at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore.
KSRTC was honoured with the awards for ‘Institution Building’ and ‘The Best Inclusion Recruitment Programme’, bringing global recognition to the corporation’s innovative and transparent recruitment practices.
After a gap of six to seven years, KSRTC successfully resumed its recruitment process, appointing 300 technical assistants, 2,000 driver-cum-conductors, and 292 employees under Compassionate Grounds. What made the process stand out was its commitment to fairness—carried out with zero human intervention, relying instead on a fully computerized system for counseling and staff placement across depots.