No separate entrance exams for private universities: K’taka Higher Education Minister

Bengaluru: Starting from the next academic year, private universities in Karnataka will no longer conduct separate entrance exams for professional courses, including engineering. The state government has directed universities to admit students based on existing central and state entrance exams, such as the Common Entrance Test (CET).

This move aims to reduce the burden of multiple exams on students. Currently, 40% of seats in private universities are filled based on merit from state-conducted entrance exams like CET. The remaining seats are filled through different entrance tests conducted by the universities themselves. To bring uniformity to this system, the government has decided to standardize the admission process.

Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar announced that this directive will come into effect from the next academic year. Henceforth, private universities will admit students based on existing exams like JEE, GATE, CET, and COMED-K.

Of the 30 private universities in Karnataka, 17 have already agreed to the new policy. Others are in the process of finalizing their choice of entrance exams for admissions. A common decision is expected soon.

Additionally, a committee led by retired judges will be formed to bring uniformity in admission fees, which has been a concern with universities setting arbitrary fees.