Karnataka Government to Shut Down Nine New Universities

Bengaluru, February 14, 2025 – The Karnataka government has announced the closure of nine out of ten newly established universities. This decision was made following a review by a Cabinet sub-committee chaired by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The sub-committee found that only one of the universities, Bidar University, was fully functional and financially viable.

The decision to shut down the other nine universities was driven by financial constraints and logistical challenges. Each university was initially allocated only Rs 2 crore without proper infrastructure or student enrollment plans. The Karnataka State Higher Education Council estimated that an amount of Rs 342 crore would be necessary for the establishment and operation of each university over the first five years.

The universities set to be closed include those in Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Haveri, Kodagu, Koppal, Bagalkot, Maharani Cluster in Bengaluru, Mandya, and Nrupatunga. The government cited the lack of availability of land and funds to develop infrastructure as key reasons for the closures.

The decision has sparked political debate, with the opposition criticizing the move as politically motivated. Leader of Opposition in the Upper House, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, emphasized the importance of accessible education for students from remote areas and argued that the government should provide facilities for students to thrive.

The final decision on the closure of the universities awaits review by the Karnataka cabinet. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar defended the sub-committee’s recommendation, stating that the hasty establishment of these universities by the previous government needed scrutiny.

The closure of these universities is expected to have a significant impact on higher education accessibility in Karnataka’s remote regions.