The Department of Backward Classes Welfare in Mysuru has initiated preparations to open 10 new hostels starting July. These facilities will cater to Other Backward Classes (OBC) students enrolled in pre-matric, post-matric, and professional courses, significantly enhancing educational access in the district.
Details of the New Hostels
Among the 10 hostels, five are designated for girls. Each hostel is expected to accommodate approximately 100 students, meaning nearly 1,000 additional students will benefit from hostel admissions this academic year. Currently, Mysuru district operates 108 hostels for OBC students, with 48 located in urban areas and 60 in rural parts of the district.
Government Initiative
This expansion follows the state government's 2024-25 budget announcement to establish 50 new OBC hostels across eight educational districts. Mysuru, Kalaburagi, and Dharwad will each receive 10 hostels, aimed at promoting education among backward class students.
Officials have stated that the department expects grants from the government by the end of this month or the first week of next month. In anticipation, steps are being taken to hire buildings on a rental basis for all 10 hostels in various parts of Mysuru city. Permanent buildings will be constructed later after the government sanctions land and sites.
Mysuru as an Education Hub
The demand for state-run hostels in Mysuru has been steadily rising as the city emerges as a major education hub, housing engineering colleges, universities, and offering strong transport connectivity. Officials note that students from rural areas across the state are increasingly seeking hostel accommodation in Mysuru for higher studies.
The expansion is expected to particularly benefit girls from rural areas of Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar districts. Many of these girls discontinue their education after pre-university due to a lack of affordable hostel access.
District Backward Classes Officer Raghavendra confirmed that preparations are underway, and identified buildings are ready to be rented once grants are released.
