File photo of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and others at a function to launch guarantee schemes in Bengaluru.
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A King’s College London study found that Karnataka’s five flagship guarantee schemes – Gruha Lakshmi, Gruha Jyothi, Anna Bhagya, Shakti and Yuva Nidhi – have collectively improved women’s financial autonomy, access to basic services and overall household well-being across the state.
The report, titled “From Guarantees to Rights: An Evaluation of Karnataka’s Experiment with Basic Income and Basic Services”, is part of the Laws and Social Reproduction project led by Prabha Kotiswaran and funded by the European Research Council. Over the past 18 months, the study surveyed 2,045 women from 10 districts and conducted focus group discussions with 300 participants to analyze the social and economic impact of these programs, according to a published report.
The research revealed that the Gruha Lakshmi scheme offering ₹2,000 per month to women heads of households had a transformative effect. Almost all beneficiaries (99.8%) confirmed that they had received the full amount, although 78% faced delays. According to the study, women reported greater control over finances, better nutrition, more savings and greater self-esteem. Around 90% of beneficiaries reported that the system increased their autonomy and reduced stress in the home, while 48% experienced less domestic conflict.
Key findings
Gruha Lakshmi: 99.8% received ₹2,000; 78% faced delays. 99% had full control over spending; 90% reported increased self-confidence and autonomy.
Anna Bhagya: 95% prefer in-kind support; improved food diversity noted.
Gruha Jyothi: 89% reported electricity savings; 94% used savings for household needs; 74% felt safer, 46% reported less violence.
Shakti: 46% said free bus travel influenced job choice; 49% used it for work or skills training.
Yuva Nidhi: Mentioned as part of the study but not analyzed in detail in the findings.
Under Anna Bhagya, which provides free cereals, 95% of respondents preferred non-monetary food support and associated it with better food variety. The study reported that for Gruha Jyothi, 89% of women reported savings on electricity bills and 94% redirected those savings to household needs, with many citing increased safety and reduced domestic violence.
The Shakti scheme offering free bus travel, 46% of respondents said it influenced their employment decisions and 49% said it helped them travel for work or skills training.
The report recommends incorporating Gruha Lakshmi into the Right to Care Act, improving financial literacy through mobile platforms, expanding employment opportunities for women and increasing inclusivity through simplified registration processes. It also proposes to strengthen Shakti by adding more buses, improving routes and increasing security and lighting at bus stops.
Published – 06 Nov 2025 22:24 IST
