Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday, 24 May 2026, marked the completion of three years of his Congress government in office, crediting every Kannadiga for the administration's achievements and reaffirming the government's commitment to its pre-poll promises.

Posting in Kannada on X under the hashtag #3YearsOfNavaKarnataka, the Chief Minister wrote: 'On this meaningful occasion of completing three years in power with the blessings of the people of the state, we dedicate the credit for all our government's achievements to every Kannadiga. We take pride in having walked the talk — honouring every promise made to the people before the elections. We have come a long way in the work of rebuilding a strong, prosperous and self-respecting Karnataka, and this effort will become even faster and more effective going forward.'

Revenue Highlights

The Chief Minister listed several fiscal achievements for the 2025-26 financial year. Commercial tax collections stood at ₹1,10,351 crore, while excise duty contributed ₹40,183 crore. Including registration and stamp duty, motor vehicle tax, and non-tax revenue, the state's total own revenue reached ₹2,12,789 crore.

On the Goods and Services Tax (GST) front, Karnataka claimed the second rank nationally in collections. GST receipts grew from ₹94,363 crore in 2023-24 to ₹1,02,586 crore in 2024-25, and further to ₹1,10,814 crore in 2025-26.

Context

Siddaramaiah returned as Chief Minister in May 2023 after the Indian National Congress won the Karnataka assembly elections. His earlier term from 2013 to 2018 was also marked by an emphasis on state revenue mobilisation and social sector spending. The current administration came to power on a manifesto that included several welfare guarantees, and the three-year milestone is being positioned as evidence of delivery on those commitments.

The post is accompanied by the hashtag #NavaKarnataka — a branding term the government has used to describe its vision of a rebuilt and reformed Karnataka.

Policy Backdrop

Karnataka's GST performance has been a point of pride for the state government amid ongoing centre-state fiscal debates. Indian states have been closely tracking their GST rankings since the tax regime's launch in 2017, particularly as disputes over compensation and devolution have shaped intergovernmental relations.

On the excise front, Siddaramaiah announced what the government describes as India's first alcohol-content-based excise duty system, modelled on global practices. The reform is framed as a dual-purpose measure — addressing the social harms of alcohol consumption while rationalising revenue collection based on the strength of the beverage rather than a flat rate.

Stakeholders and Impact

The revenue figures directly affect Karnataka's capacity to fund welfare schemes and infrastructure. Karnataka taxpayers, the state excise department, and alcohol consumers are among the key stakeholders in the new excise framework. A stronger own-revenue base also gives the state greater fiscal autonomy in negotiations with the Centre over grants and transfers.

The government's claim of honouring pre-poll promises will be tested against public perception of flagship welfare programmes that were central to the Congress campaign in 2023.

What's Next

The Siddaramaiah government signalled that the pace of its governance agenda will accelerate in the remaining period of its term. Analysts and opposition parties are likely to scrutinise the revenue figures and the operational details of the new excise model in the coming weeks. The alcohol-content-based excise framework, if it demonstrates measurable results in both revenue and public health outcomes, could invite attention from other state governments seeking to replicate the model.