Good morning, Bengaluru ☕

Rent’s still high, but HRA relief could help soon. Plus: Traffic updates, a new hospital, hidden cafés, job openings, an inspiring local story, and events to check out this week.

Big News

A small tax change that could help you save more every month

If you live on rent in Bengaluru, you already know, it’s getting expensive. A big part of your salary goes straight into rent, and it’s only been going up.

Now, there’s finally some good news. The government is planning to increase the HRA tax exemption to 50%, from the current 40%. This change, expected from April 2026, could help many salaried people save more on taxes.

It won’t bring your rent down, but it does mean you might have a little extra money left at the end of the month.

For a city like Bengaluru, where living costs are rising fast, this feels like a much-needed relief.

City Updates

Traffic relief might finally be coming
BDA has floated a ₹3,348 crore tender for the Bengaluru Business Corridor (Peripheral Ring Road project). Once completed, the 117-km road is expected to reduce city traffic by up to 40% by diverting vehicles away from the core city. It’s a big step toward fixing Bengaluru’s traffic problem, though land acquisition remains a key challenge.

A major boost for healthcare
Karnataka government has opened a 450-bed children’s hospital in Bengaluru, aimed at improving specialized care for kids. The facility is expected to reduce pressure on existing hospitals and provide better treatment access for families across the city. This comes as part of a broader push to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure in Karnataka.

Bengaluru shines again
In his Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised a Bengaluru-based education institute for making science learning fun and accessible. The recognition highlights how local initiatives are helping popularize science among students and communities, putting Bengaluru once again in the national spotlight for innovation and education.

Gems Worth Finding

Places locals love but most people walk right past.

📚 The Bookworm’s Café
A quiet 100-year-old house café with second-hand books, reading nooks, and chai/coffee.
You can even exchange old books for discounts, perfect for slow mornings.

🍵 Sakura Matcha Bar
Bengaluru’s first matcha café serving authentic Japanese matcha and desserts.
Small, aesthetic, and peaceful, ideal for a quiet break.

🌿 Cafe Terra
A rooftop garden café with plants, cozy seating, and relaxed vibes.
Great for unwinding with good food away from the city rush.

💼Opportunities

Jobs Worth Applying To

1.Microsoft Research India Research Engineer

Full-time | Bengaluru | Hybrid

2.Moving Team Namma Yatri) Product & Engineering Roles - Expanding Team

Full-time | Bengaluru | Hiring

3.Databricks India Staff Machine Learning Engineer

Full-time | Bengaluru | Remote OK

4.Zscaler Cloud Automation QA Engineer

Full-time | Bengaluru

5.Multiple Startups & SMEs IT Fresher Openings - 28,000+ listings

Fresher-friendly | Multiple roles

More on → Naukri · Hirist · Indeed · Built In

Namma People

Meet Manya Harsha - The Little Environmentalist

Manya Harsha, a young environmentalist from Bengaluru, began her journey at just 4 years old, inspired by nature and a desire to reduce waste. What started as small acts at home soon grew into a larger mission.

Today, she has planted 40,000+ saplings, made 10,000+ seed bombs, recycled 100 kg of waste, created 300+ sheets of paper from vegetable waste, and upcycled 2,000 sarees into 20,000 eco-friendly bags. An author of 8+ books, her story shows how one child’s curiosity can grow into a powerful movement for change. 🌍

What’s Happening This Week

Apr 1 - Startup Mixer (6:00 PM, Global Incubation Services): Casual B2B networking for early-stage founders.

Apr 1 - Silaa Wednesday Kannada Jamming (6:00 PM, HSR Layout): Relive the Golder Era of Kannada Music.

Apr 3 - EVENTEX Startup Expo (9:00 AM, NIMHANS Convention Centre): Pitches, investors, and startup showcases.

Apr 4 - Shaan Live (6:30 PM, Phoenix Market City: Bangalore): Popular Bollywood singer in concert.