Engineering admissions drop as jobs shrink; Karnataka forms expert panel to revive courses

With falling enrolments, thousands of vacant seats and low placement rates, the Higher Education Department steps in to assess and reform engineering education in the state.

Karnataka sees a sharp fall in engineering admissions and placements, with thousands of seats vacant. The government has formed a 10-member expert panel to revive engineering coursesEngineering education in Karnataka is witnessing a worrying downturn, with fewer students opting for the course and job opportunities failing to meet expectations. Data released by the Higher Education Department highlights a sharp decline in admissions across engineering colleges in the state.

According to the department, more than 9,000 seats in computer science and related branches have remained unfilled this academic year. The situation is equally concerning in traditional streams such as mechanical, civil and electrical engineering, where enrolment has dropped significantly.

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Officials say one of the major reasons behind the declining interest is the lack of assured employment after graduation. Only about 17 per cent of engineering students are currently securing jobs, raising serious concerns about employability. As a result, many graduates are remaining unemployed despite completing professional degrees.

The crisis has also impacted institutions. Several private universities and engineering colleges in Karnataka are reportedly on the verge of closure due to poor admissions and financial stress.

Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the state government has decided to intervene. The Higher Education Department has constituted a 10-member expert committee to study the situation in detail. The panel has been tasked with reviewing the current state of engineering education and submitting suitable recommendations to improve course relevance, quality and employment outcomes.