British Council–Karnataka Tie-Up Expands Rural Libraries: 70 English Learning Corners in Gram Panchayats
Bengaluru, March 12, 2026: The Government of Karnataka has expanded its partnership with the British Council to strengthen English language learning, library services and knowledge access in rural areas through Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendras, said Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, IT and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge.
Under the expanded collaboration, the number of British Council Library Corners in Gram Panchayat Knowledge Centres will increase from 10 to 70, with 60 additional centres being established across the state.
As part of the initiative, the British Council will provide 3,000 English children’s books and extend free access to its digital library resources, enabling rural readers to connect with global knowledge platforms and curated English learning content.
The expanded agreement was signed in the presence of Priyank Kharge and British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer, with Karnataka Panchayat Raj Commissioner Dr. Arundhati Chandrashekar and British Council Director for South India Janaka Pushpanathan formally signing the memorandum.
Speaking at the event, Priyank Kharge emphasised the importance of strengthening rural knowledge infrastructure and expanding English language learning opportunities for youth across Karnataka.
“Gram Panchayat libraries have evolved into vibrant knowledge hubs that foster curiosity, learning and community engagement across rural Karnataka. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these libraries served as critical learning spaces for children. By offering free memberships for children aged 6 to 18, we have brought more than five million young readers into this ecosystem,” he said.
The minister noted that English language skills are increasingly becoming a key pathway for rural youth to access higher education, employment opportunities and social mobility.
“Our partnership with the British Council brings high-quality English learning resources, books and digital content closer to rural learners,” he added.
Encouraged by the success of the first 10 British Council Library Corners launched in January 2025, the government decided to expand the initiative to 70 centres across the state, ensuring that more children and young people benefit from global learning resources.
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner Uma Mahadevan said that 5,884 Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendras are currently operational across rural Karnataka, with plans underway to establish around 6,600 additional village libraries, creating a network of more than 12,000 rural libraries statewide.
These centres are equipped with computers and internet connectivity, enabling access to digital learning resources, online training sessions and educational content for children and learners across thousands of villages.
To further strengthen the functioning of Arivu Kendras, the department has also built non-financial partnerships with civil society organisations and institutions.
British Deputy High Commissioner Chandru Iyer said the British Council — the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities — is proud to collaborate with Karnataka’s Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department to support English language learning, skills development and knowledge enhancement for rural children through these centres.
He added that the first phase of the initiative began with the launch of 10 British Council Library Corners on January 20, 2025.
The programme was attended by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department Secretary Sameer Shukla, Panchayat Raj Secretary Randeep, and British Council India officials Alison Barrett and Helen Sylvester, among others. Librarians from Gram Panchayat Arivu Kendras across several districts of Karnataka also participated and received books as part of the programme.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ 70 ಗ್ರಾಮ ಪಂಚಾಯತ್ ಅರಿವು ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ರಿಟಿಷ್ ಕೌನ್ಸಿಲ್ ಲೈಬ್ರರಿ ಕಾರ್ನರ್ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ
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