Bengaluru: While Karnataka is favouring introduction of AI skills and coding in its schools, nearly 48% of the state’s 74,578 schools do not have internet connectivity, exposing a glaring digital divide.
The state’s connectivity rate is well below the national average of 67%, according to UDISE+ report released by Union ministry of education for 2025–26. These contrasting figures come at a time when chief minister DK Shivakumar , during his Independence Day, announced the AI Akshara Abhiyana and Coding Gurukula initiatives across Karnataka, aimed at introducing AI education in schools from Class 6. Subsequently, the CM said AI training had already begun for Class 9 students in govt schools and directed officials to explore extending it to younger students, with support from the information technology department and private organisations.
Nearly one in three schools in India lacks internet access, while every second school in Karnataka lacks the facility. However, the widening infrastructure gap raises questions about how uniformly these initiatives can be implemented across the state. D Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), pointed out that the digital divide could widen if the number of schools with functional internet connections were considered, as several schools reporting internet access do not have an active connection.
Andhra Pradesh has internet access in 99.2% of its 60,843 schools, while Tamil Nadu has achieved 99% coverage across 57,566 schools. Kerala reports connectivity in 92.6% of its 15,750 schools. Telangana, despite having a sizeable gap of its own, has internet access in 76.5% of its 41,762 schools. Karnataka, with connectivity in just 51.7% of its schools, has the lowest coverage in South India, the report revealed. Nationally, 4.77 lakh of India’s 14.67 lakh schools lack internet access, according to the report. Karnataka accounts for approximately 7.5% of the nationwide deficit.
“The proportion of schools without internet connectivity in Karnataka is more than twice that of Telangana, where 23.5% of schools lack access, and over six times the national average of 32.6%,” a Bengaluru-based academician said. “AI education requires access to computers, suitable software, trained teachers and, for many learning applications, reliable internet connectivity. Without these basic facilities, students in poorly connected schools risk being left behind even as their peers gain exposure to emerging technologies. how many schools will these initiatives cover Although the government has pinned its hopes on CSR initiatives. All these programmes require substantial financial resources. Will the government be able to provide the necessary funds?” he asked. Karnataka’s performance is also poor compared with that of its southern neighbours.
Of the state’s 48,527 government-managed schools, only 18,007 have internet facilities, leaving about 30,520 (63%) without connectivity. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. Home to the country’s IT capital, Karnataka has the highest percentage of schools without internet connectivity among the southern states — both as a proportion of total schools and in absolute numbers. The gap is particularly alarming in government schools. Download the TOI App.