Private universities accused of trying to boost engineering posts in violation of government order
The delay in publishing the final seat matrix is also likely to delay the seat allotment process for engineering courses this year. | Photo credit: File photo
There have been allegations that some private universities and engineering colleges are trying to increase the number of engineering seats in violation of the Government Order (GO) and beyond the recommendations of the Karnataka Engineering Education Reform Authority (KEERA) report. They reportedly attempted this during the transition from the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet to the DK Shivakumar-led cabinet. Mr. Shivakumar currently holds the portfolio of higher education.
What KEERA said
The state government set up KEERA, headed by Sadagopan, former director of IIIT-B, to streamline engineering education in Karnataka. The move came against the backdrop of dwindling job opportunities in the engineering sector and continued expansion of seats mostly in computer science (CS) and related courses, leading to an imbalance in engineering education. It was also aimed at curbing the growth of technical colleges in tier 1 and tier 2 cities.
The authority submitted its report in April 2026. Based on its recommendations, the state government ordered a gradual 17% reduction in the number of seats for CS and allied courses and capped the combined intake for five CS-related combinations at 900 seats.
“Institutions already having more than 300 seats in CS and related combinations must obtain National Board of Accreditation (NBA) certification within two years of the issuance of the GO. For new institutions, it recommends an initial intake of 60 students for any course offered by a private university or engineering college,” the order said.
Furthermore, it allows an increase of 60 places per year, subject to a maximum total income of 180 places during the first four years.
However, by then, some private universities and engineering colleges had obtained approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to increase the number of seats in CS and allied engineering courses beyond the prescribed limit and submitted proposals to the government seeking approval and issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
The then higher education minister MC Sudhakar rejected these proposals. However, after the Siddaramaiah-led cabinet was dissolved, some private universities and engineering colleges reportedly tried to get approval for additional engineering seats through certain officials in the higher education department.
According to sources, several private universities whose requests to increase the number of seats in CS and allied streams were rejected have reportedly managed to include more seats in the admission matrix after the cabinet was dissolved.
Sources further said that a delegation representing private universities and engineering colleges, which already have more than 3,000 seats in CS and allied streams, met the chief minister and urged him to allow further reinforcement of seats.
CM contacts Sudhakar
However, when the file regarding the domicile matrix and issuance of NOC reached the Chief Minister, he contacted Dr. MC Sudhakara and realized that some private universities were trying to “manipulate” the government’s decision.
Dr. Clarifying the issue, Sudhakar said, “I have given all the details to the Chief Minister, including the intention behind setting up the Prof. Sadagopan Committee for Technical Education Reforms. I have also explained to him the main recommendations of the committee and the CC issued in this regard.”
Delay in seat matrix
While the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has already started the mock allotment of seats for Common Entrance Test (CET)-2026 counselling, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who currently holds the higher education portfolio, is yet to give his nod to the final seat matrix. The delay in publishing the final seat matrix is also likely to delay the seat allotment process for engineering courses this year.
When asked about this, Mr. Shivakumar said that he had cleared some files related to the seat matrix and on Monday directed the Principal Secretary, Higher Education Department, to verify and send the pending files to him.
Published – 22 Jun 2026 22:20 IST