In a strategic move to attract academically brilliant students, Pre-University (PU) colleges in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district are aggressively rolling out competitive, merit-based entrance and scholarship examinations. These tests promise high performers substantial financial incentives, including full or partial tuition waivers, coupled with enhanced academic support programs.
Pioneering Scholarship Models Set the Trend
The trend of using competitive exams for scholarships and admissions is gaining significant momentum. Alva's Education Foundation in Moodbidri was a frontrunner, initially offering scholarships based on Class X marks, adoption schemes, and sports quotas. To cast a wider net, the foundation launched the Alva's Academic Scholarship Examination (AASE) two years ago.
Padmaraj Rai, the admission officer at Alva's, explained the exam's format. "It started in 2023," he said. "The offline exam is an MCQ-based test for 200 marks, held across the state, with questions predominantly from science and mathematics." The reward for qualifying is substantial, with fee waivers ranging from Rs 10,000 to a staggering Rs 1 lakh on offer for successful candidates.
Colleges Expand Reach with Targeted Exams
Following this model, other prominent colleges have introduced their own tailored scholarship programs. Vivekananda PU College runs the 'Medha-2026' scholarship programme, which commenced last academic year. According to coordinator Shyam Prasad, the exam is conducted in both Kannada and English mediums, testing knowledge in mathematics, science, and general knowledge from classes IX and X syllabi.
"Last year, nearly 700 students appeared, and we offered 100% free seats to about 25 students," Prasad stated. He noted a surge in interest this year, with registrations already crossing 1,000. The exams are conducted in Dakshina Kannada, Kasaragod, and Kodagu districts. The selected students receive exclusive benefits. "We have separate classes only for those who clear the entrance exam, along with special training for competitive entrance tests," he added.
Innovative Approaches and Broader Inclusion
Other institutions are adopting innovative methods to identify talent. Shakti PU College in Shakti Nagar conducts its scholarship exams online. Those who qualify are rewarded with completely free residential PU education. Ramesh K, chief adviser of the Shakthi Education Trust, highlighted their inclusive approach: "We have also selected students from government high schools."
Similarly, St Agnes PU College is conducting a combined scholarship and admission test. Principal Sr Noreen D'Souza outlined the shift in their strategy. "The aim is to identify and support meritorious students. Earlier, we used to organise general career guidance for high school students, which has now been replaced by this focused scholarship exam." Successful candidates here can avail themselves of scholarships covering up to 90% of their fees.
This collective push by PU colleges in the region marks a significant shift from traditional admission processes. By directly targeting and rewarding academic excellence through competitive exams, these institutions are not only vying for the best students but also making quality education more accessible to deserving candidates from diverse backgrounds.
