Dharwad: Rising competition from new universities and local colleges, a severe faculty shortage, and a clear shift among students towards skill-based, job-oriented courses have triggered a steady decline in postgraduate (PG) enrolment at Karnatak University. The downturn has left several departments on the Dharwad campus with nearly half their seats vacant.
Declining Numbers
The university, which has 51 PG departments, recorded admissions of 3,623 students in 2023–24. The figure dropped to 3,334 in 2024–25 and further to 3,058 in 2025–26, marking a consistent year-on-year fall. Courses such as Sanskrit and foreign languages are among the worst hit, with very low enrolment. In contrast, high-demand programmes like MBA, Mathematics and Commerce continue to fill all available seats, reflecting a divergence in student preferences.
Shrinking Catchment Area
Faculty members say the university's traditional catchment base has eroded. "Earlier, students from across North Karnataka depended on this university for PG education. Now, with universities in districts like Haveri, Jamkhandi and Davanagere, and PG courses available in many degree colleges, students prefer to stay closer to home," a senior professor said.
Faculty Crunch Hurting Appeal
A major concern is the acute shortage of teaching staff. Nearly 70% of faculty posts are reportedly vacant, and some departments do not have a permanent faculty member. This has impacted academic quality and reduced the institution's attractiveness to prospective students, insiders point out.
Colleges Buck the Trend
Even as campus enrolment declines, affiliated colleges are witnessing a surge in PG admissions. Numbers have risen from 3,768 in 2023-24 to 3,950 in 2024-25, and sharply to 4,609 in 2025-26, indicating a clear shift towards decentralised higher education. Convenience is a key factor for students. "I am studying BA in Hubballi and plan to pursue PG in journalism. Since the course is available locally, I will continue there," said a student.
Applications Dip, Priorities Shift
The fall is also reflected in applications. According to Prof Sangeeta Mane of the social work department, the programme once received over 1,000 applications annually. "Now, we get only around 150 to 200," she said. Experts highlight a broader shift in priorities. With limited govt recruitment, many graduates are focusing on competitive exams, while others prefer skill-based and professional courses that offer quicker employment prospects. Interest in traditional PG programmes has consequently declined.
Reforms in the Pipeline
In response, the university plans corrective measures. Vice-Chancellor Prof AM Khan said industry orientation training will be introduced for fourth-semester students. An MoU with Future Mind Technologies is also being prepared to enhance industry exposure of students, he said. "We will organise campus placements and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into PG curricula, with added focus on communication and computer skills," he said. The administration hopes these initiatives will help revive enrolment in the 2026–27 academic year.
