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Bengaluru/Kushalnagar: The Karnataka government has decided to close Kodagu University following a review by a Cabinet subcommittee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The decision was made during a meeting held on Thursday, where officials assessed the viability of several universities set up during the previous BJP-led administration.
The committee determined that sustaining these institutions, which were established two years ago, would impose a significant financial strain on the state, amounting to an estimated Rs 342 crore annually. As a result, multiple recently formed universities are set to be shut down.
The closure of Kodagu University is expected to have a profound impact on the district, which has historically faced challenges in providing higher education opportunities. With the institution’s shutdown, students from Kodagu will once again have to rely on distant universities such as Mangalore University, located 200 km away, and the University of Mysore, which is 130 km from the district.
This development is particularly concerning for female students and those from economically weaker backgrounds, as well as residents in remote areas who already struggle with access to higher education facilities.
Government cites lack of planning in BJP-led university expansion:
Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Friday, February 14, 2025, Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar criticised the previous BJP government for establishing universities without securing adequate land or ensuring sufficient financial grants. He pointed out that students from Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts had expressed a preference to remain affiliated with the University of Mysore rather than enrolling in the new universities created in their respective regions. As a result, student admissions in Mandya and Chamarajanagar universities have declined significantly, prompting those institutions to submit internal reports to the government.
“In response to these concerns, the Chief Minister formed a Cabinet subcommittee under my leadership to evaluate the financial health and operational efficiency of these universities. During our meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2025, we conducted an extensive review of these institutions, considering inputs from experts and government officials. We will present our findings to the Chief Minister, after which a final decision will be made by the Cabinet,” Shivakumar explained.
Future of the universities remains uncertain:
When questioned about whether the newly established universities would be permanently closed or merged with their original institutions, Shivakumar highlighted the severe faculty shortages faced by these universities.
“Faculty members and staff have been reluctant to transfer from the parent universities due to concerns regarding salary structures, seniority, and pension benefits. The government’s primary focus is on the welfare of students. We have no personal agenda in this matter, and any decision will be made with their best interests in mind,” he said.
Higher Education Minister blames BJP for ‘unscientific’ university setup:
Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar also criticized the BJP’s approach to higher education expansion, calling it unscientific and poorly planned. He noted that according to state regulations, each new university requires a financial commitment of Rs 347 crore over five years, including funding for land acquisition. However, he alleged that the previous government failed to allocate necessary funds or land for these institutions.
“This has resulted in a decline in the number of constituent colleges under universities, affecting their revenue. Additionally, administrative structures have weakened, impacting the quality of education. If the government does not intervene, private universities could take advantage of the situation,” Sudhakar warned.
He further stated that another high-level meeting would be convened to discuss the issue in detail before submitting a comprehensive report to the Chief Minister.
Ten universities under review:
Among the ten universities facing closure or restructuring are those in Hassan, Bidar, Chamarajanagar, Haveri, Kodagu, Koppal, Bagalkot, Mandya, and Nrupatunga, along with the Maharani Cluster University. The final decision on these institutions will be taken after further deliberations in the Cabinet.
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