The Supreme Court of India has issued a definitive directive, ordering the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to ensure the completion of elections for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the newly formed municipal corporations within the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area by June 30, 2026. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi passed the order on Monday, January 12, 2026, emphasizing that no further extensions would be granted for the election process. The Court has specifically instructed the State of Karnataka to publish the final ward-wise reservation list by February 20, 2026. This timeline is crucial, as the previous BBMP council's term expired on September 10, 2020, leading to a prolonged delay in civic governance. The State Election Commission informed the court that the election proceedings could commence around May 25, 2026, after the completion of board examinations, ensuring the availability of schools and staff for polling duties. Significantly, the upcoming elections will cover an expanded civic body, with polls to be held for 369 wards across five new city corporations in the Greater Bengaluru Area, a substantial increase from the previous 198 wards. This directive brings an end to the uncertainty surrounding the much-awaited Bengaluru civic polls and aims to restore elected representation in the city's local governance. The Supreme Court's firm stance underscores the importance of timely elections in democratic processes.