Bengaluru finalizes 369 new city wards on March 8 2026 to start local elections

Bengaluru now has 369 wards divided into 5 new groups. This is a major change that reserves 176 seats for women to help them lead in local government.
By Newsroom | Politics, Bengaluru |

The Karnataka government has finalized the delimitation of 369 wards across five newly formed city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), and has now notified the reservation list for these wards. This move, intended to pave the way for long-delayed civic polls, brings the administration closer to operationalizing a new urban governance model for the city. The notifications come shortly before a scheduled Supreme Court hearing concerning the delay in these elections.

Karnataka notifies reservation for 369 wards of new Bengaluru corporations, questions persist over quotas - 1

The final notification on ward reservations for 369 seats was published on March 8th, 2026, solidifying the allocation for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and women. Specifically, the breakdown includes 198 wards for the general category, 43 for SC, 7 for ST, 97 for Backward Class A, and 24 for Backward Class B. Additionally, 176 wards have been reserved for women, representing a significant portion of the total seats.

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Karnataka notifies reservation for 369 wards of new Bengaluru corporations, questions persist over quotas - 2

While 84 wards saw changes in their reservation quota compared to previous drafts, a central point of contention remains. Critics suggest the percentage of reservation has not been adjusted despite widespread criticism, potentially leading to legal challenges. The Urban Development Department’s decision to maintain existing percentages, rather than revising them following public feedback on the draft notification, has fueled these concerns.

Karnataka notifies reservation for 369 wards of new Bengaluru corporations, questions persist over quotas - 3

The overarching structure of the new Bengaluru administration comprises five distinct city corporations: Bengaluru Central (63 wards), Bengaluru East (50 wards), Bengaluru West (112 wards), Bengaluru North (72 wards), and Bengaluru South (72 wards). This reorganization followed the dissolution of the previous Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the establishment of a Delimitation Commission. The process aimed to redraw ward boundaries to align with the new corporate structures, ensuring contiguity and consideration of population and community interests within single Assembly constituencies.

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Karnataka notifies reservation for 369 wards of new Bengaluru corporations, questions persist over quotas - 4

The notification of reservations marks a critical step after the final ward map was approved, with the last significant pending item before the announcement of the first GBA elections. The government has reportedly committed to holding these civic polls before June 30th, 2026, under pressure from the Supreme Court.

Background to the Reorganization

The restructuring of Bengaluru's urban governance into five new city corporations under the GBA umbrella began with the formation of the Delimitation Commission on September 2nd, 2025. This initiative necessitated a complete overhaul of the city's administrative map and ward lines. The process involved public consultations, with suggestions leading to some adjustments in the ward structure, such as an additional ward allocated to the Bengaluru West City Corporation, which had reportedly drawn significant public input.

The delay in finalizing these wards and their subsequent reservation lists has been attributed to the transition period following the BBMP's dissolution. Guidelines for reservation, including the principle of rotation for SC, ST, backward class, and women's quotas (excluding general seats), have been established. The calculation of reserved wards for SC and ST is based on their population ratio within each corporation, with 50% of remaining general wards also earmarked for women.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Karnataka government finalize 369 wards in Bengaluru on March 8 2026?
The government finalized these wards to prepare for city elections that have been delayed for a long time. This move divides the city into five new sections under the Greater Bengaluru Authority. It helps the city follow rules set by the Supreme Court to hold elections soon.
Q: Which groups get reserved seats in the new Bengaluru city elections?
Out of 369 seats, 176 are reserved for women and 198 are for the general category. Other seats are set aside for Scheduled Castes (43), Scheduled Tribes (7), and Backward Classes (121). This ensures different groups of people have a voice in the new city government.
Q: What are the five new city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority?
The city is now split into Bengaluru Central, East, West, North, and South corporations. Bengaluru West is the largest with 112 wards, while Bengaluru East is the smallest with 50 wards. Each corporation will manage its own local area to make the city run better.
Q: When will the first Greater Bengaluru Authority elections take place?
The government plans to hold these local elections before June 30, 2026. They are under pressure from the Supreme Court to finish the voting process by this date. This will be the first time citizens vote for the new five-corporation system.
Q: Why are some people unhappy with the Bengaluru ward reservation list?
Some critics say the government did not change the percentage of reserved seats even after people complained. They worry that the current math for these seats might lead to new court cases. However, the government kept the numbers the same to meet the election deadline.