The Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, decided on Thursday, March 27, 2025, to increase the price of Nandini milk by Rs 4 per litre, a move set to take effect from April 1. The decision, finalized in a cabinet meeting, aims to bolster dairy farming in the state, according to Animal Husbandry Minister K. Venkatesh.

The popular toned milk variant, currently priced at Rs 44 per litre (1,050 ml), will now cost Rs 48 per litre, aligning with demands from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) and farmers’ organizations.

This marks the third price hike in two years, following a Rs 3 increase in July 2023 and a Rs 2 adjustment in June 2024, when an extra 50 ml was added per packet. Unlike the previous revision, this hike does not include additional volume, reversing the 1,050 ml packet size to 1 litre.

The move comes ahead of the Ugadi festival on March 30, likely impacting the cost of milk-based products like coffee, tea, and sweets across Karnataka.

The government faced pressure from milk federations and farmers, who sought a Rs 5 per litre increase amid rising production costs and pending subsidies worth Rs 656.07 crore for 9.04 lakh beneficiaries.

While defending the hike as farmer-friendly, the state has drawn criticism for recent increases in metro fares, bus tariffs, and power rates, fueling debates over balancing welfare schemes and public affordability.