Karnataka Cabinet to decide fate of nine new universities established during BJP tenure: D.K. Shivakumar

Karnataka Cabinet to decide on fate of nine new universities, including Mandya and Chamarajanagar, established during BJP tenure.

“The State Cabinet will take an appropriate decision on continuation or closure of nine new Universities including Mandya and Chamarajanagar established during the BJP tenure,” said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

Speaking to media in Bengaluru on Friday (February 14, 2025), he said, “The previous government had established new universities without providing appropriate land and necessary grants as per the rules in the State. In particular, students of Mandya and Chamarajanagar district expressed their opinion that they wanted to continue their higher education with Mysore University only. Therefore, enrollment in Mandya and Chamarajanagar universities has fallen and these universities had submitted an internal report to the government in this regard.”

“In the wake of this report, the Chief Minister had constituted a Cabinet sub-committee under my chairmanship to review the function and financial position of these universities. In Thursday’s (February 13, 2025) meeting we discussed in detail about the financial condition and other issues of the universities. Many experts and officials have expressed their views in the meeting. We will explain all these things to the Chief Minister. Then the report will be placed in the Cabinet and an appropriate decision will be taken,” he said.

In response to a question on whether the new universities will be closed or merged with parent universities, Mr. Shivakumar said, “The new universities are mainly facing a shortage of faculty. Faculty and other staff are not ready to move from the parent universities to the new universities because of problems in salary, seniority and pension. The future of students is important to the government. We have no personal agenda in this. Therefore, an appropriate decision will be taken from the perspective of students and universities,” he stated.

Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar said that the BJP government had established new universities in the State unscientifically. As per the rules, ₹347 crore each is required for a period of five years for all the works, including land for the establishment of a new university. However, the BJP government had established new universities without providing an appropriate land or any grant, he said.

“This has also reduced the number of constituent colleges for all universities, leading to a decline in income. In addition, the administrative system has also collapsed. If the government does not intervene in such a situation, quality education will be affected and some private universities will encash this. Therefore, another meeting will be held in this regard, a comprehensive discussion will be held and a report will be submitted to the Chief Minister,” he said.

However, the Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Mr. Shivakumar to review the functioning and financial position of public universities held its first meeting on February 14, 2025, and decided to recommend the closure of nine out of 10 newly established State-run universities.