K’taka move to scrap 458 courses in colleges draws flak

Dharwad: The district unit of the All India Democratic Students Organisation (Aidso) has strongly condemned the state govt’s decision to discontinue several undergraduate courses in colleges across Karnataka, alleging the move would weaken higher education and deprive students of opportunities.

Aidso district secretary Shashikal Meti, in a release, said the govt had issued an order on May 21, 2026, to discontinue as many as 458 courses, citing low admissions to programmes such as political science, sociology, Kannada, economics, mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science.

The organisation alleged that the decline in admissions stemmed from the lack of employment opportunities and the govt’s failure to fill vacant posts in various departments, especially in education. It claimed that more than one lakh teaching and non-teaching posts remain vacant in the education department alone.

Aidso criticised the govt for attempting to shut down courses instead of generating employment and strengthening higher education institutions. It said the decision would adversely affect core subjects and weaken the academic foundation of public education.

The organisation also alleged that the govt acted without consulting educationists, students or parents, terming the move ‘undemocratic and unilateral’.

Further, Aidso accused the govt of encouraging privatisation by promoting self-financed courses based on market demand while neglecting traditional disciplines.

The organisation demanded that the govt immediately withdraw the order, protect core academic subjects and take responsibility for creating employment opportunities for students.