Santosh S. Lad is an Indian politician from Karnataka. He is currently serving as Cabinet Minister in Government of Karnataka & member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly representing Kalghatgi constituency in the Dharwad district of Karnataka state.

The Government of Karnataka, abbreviated as GoK or GOKA, or simply Karnataka Government, formerly Government of Mysore or Government of Mysore State is a democratically elected state body with the governor as the ceremonial head to govern the Southwest Indian state of Karnataka. The governor who is appointed for five years appoints the chief minister and on the advice of the chief minister appoints their council of ministers. Even though the governor remains the ceremonial head of the state, the day-to-day running of the government is taken care of by the chief minister and their council of ministers in whom a great amount of legislative powers are vested.