Karnataka has approved Tulu as its second additional administrative language for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on September 18, 2026.

The decision comes after years of efforts and appeals, including a report submitted in 2023 by a committee led by educationist M. Mohan Alva, followed by reviews by panels examining the procedural framework.

Tulu is spoken in the coastal region known as Tulu Nadu, which includes Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. It is also spoken in neighbouring districts, including Chikkamagaluru (particularly Kalasa and Mudigere taluks) and Shivamogga (particularly Tirthahalli and Hosanagar taluks), as well as parts of Hassan and Kodagu.

During the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, both the BJP and Congress had highlighted the demand for Tulu’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and its official recognition in Karnataka.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar after a three-hour Cabinet meeting at Praja Soudha in Mangaluru. The government has also set aside ₹82 lakh for translation, training and other language-use purposes, he said.

The decision also assumes political significance ahead of the 2028 Karnataka Assembly election. Dakshina Kannada and Udupi together account for 13 Assembly constituencies, of which the BJP won 11 in the 2023 election.

Tulu has a substantial linguistic base in the two districts, accounting for 49% of Dakshina Kannada’s population and about 31 per cent of Udupi’s population, according to 2011 Census data.

Shivakumar also said there was a demand from various quarters to rename Dakshina Kannada as Mangaluru district. A draft notification in this regard will be published to seek public opinion. A decision will be taken after the government receives the public feedback.

Additionally, the Cabinet also approved projects worth ₹32,611 crore, including the Coastal-Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026 and a 150-acre fisheries park.

The CM added, “Around ₹16,000 crore of the approved amount would be spent on rural roads, rural development and infrastructure, while the remaining amount would cover various projects in the coastal districts.”

Published on September 18, 2026