Karnataka to reduce fee for engineering courses with low enrolment in government and aided colleges to attract students

Karnataka government reduces fees for low-enrollment engineering courses to attract students, filling seats through KEA counselling.

The Karnataka government has decided to reduce the fees for civil, mechanical, automobile, and other engineering courses with low enrollment in government and aided engineering colleges, to attract students.

The issue was raised in a recent meeting chaired by Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar with private engineering college managements. Private engineering colleges agreeing to charge lower fees specified in the consensual agreement with the government have been instructed to inform the government before the option entry round of the Common Entrance Test (CET) counselling.

Due to lack of job opportunities and the popularity of computer-related engineering courses, basic engineering courses such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and automobile are losing sheen over the years.

The number of students enrolling in these courses has fallen, and many private colleges have stopped the courses. In 2024-25, out of the total 5,723 government quota civil engineering seats, only 2,883 were filled. Out of the total 5,977 mechanical engineering seats, only 2,783 seats were filled.

However, out of the total 18,794 computer science seats available, 18,157 were filled, leaving only 637 seats vacant.

“Civil, mechanical, electrical, automobile and other courses are basic courses of engineering, and these need to be retained. Due to various reasons, students are not enrolling in these courses in large numbers. In addition, it has come to the notice of the government that some students, even though they want to enrol, are being deprived of the courses as they are unable to pay the prescribed fee. Currently, the annual fee in government engineering colleges is ₹48,000, and a further reduction is being considered. This will not only benefit students but also increase enrolment. This issue is still under discussion and a final decision has not been taken yet,” said Dr. Sudhakar.

“If private engineering colleges agree to reduce the fee for specified courses with low enrolment, it is mandatory to display that fee structure on the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) portal. The colleges have been told to decide on this before the option entry round of the CET counseling,” the Minister said.