Karnataka Government to Shut Down Nine Universities Amid Financial Constraints
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has announced the closure of nine newly established universities, citing financial constraints and infrastructural challenges. The decision, made by a cabinet sub-committee led by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has sparked controversy and protests across the state.
Universities Set for Closure:
The affected institutions were part of the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s initiative to establish one university per district. However, after a thorough review, the current administration deemed them unviable. The universities slated for closure include Hassan University, Chamrajnagar University, Haveri University, Kodagu university, Koppal University, Bagalakot University, Maharani Cluster University, Mandya University and Nrupatunga University. Only Bidar University will continue operations , as it has been found fully functional and financially stable.
According to the state government, the decision was based on several key factors:
* Financial Burden: Establishing each university requires approximately ₹342 crore over five years for infrastructure, staffing, and operational expenses.
* Lack of Infrastructure: Most universities lack the required 100 to 200 acres of land, as well as adequate faculty and facilities.
* Operational Challenges: An internal assessment found that except for Bidar University, none of the institutions were fully functional.
Deputy CM Shivakumar emphasized that the move was necessary to ensure sustainable and quality higher education in the state.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and student organizations. The BJP, under whose tenure these universities were established, has accused the Congress-led government of stalling educational progress in rural Karnataka. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also condemned the move, staging protests in multiple districts.
Meanwhile, students and faculty members from the affected universities, particularly Hassan University, have expressed disappointment and launched demonstrations, urging the government to reconsider its stance.
Defending the decision, Shivakumar stated, “The government must prioritize sustainable education. These universities were set up without proper planning. We will ensure that students are not adversely affected and explore alternative measures to support them.”
Education experts have provided mixed reactions, with some arguing that the previous government’s approach was hasty, while others stress the importance of increasing the number of public universities to boost Karnataka’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education.
Dhanya Reddy S
Alma Media School Student
