The Karnataka government has proposed a major change in the admission rules for professional educational institutions, seeking to ensure greater access to government seats for students from rural areas. The draft Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions (Amendment) Rules, 2026 proposes to divide the existing 15% rural quota into two equal categories.
Under the proposed amendment, 7.5% of government seats would be reserved horizontally for eligible rural students who studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in government schools or government pre-university colleges located in rural areas of Karnataka. Another 7.5% would be reserved for eligible candidates who completed Classes 1 to 10 in any school or educational institution located in rural areas, including private institutions.
The proposal is intended to provide a dedicated share of professional-course seats to rural students, particularly those who have completed their schooling in government-run institutions. The reservation would apply within the existing framework governing government seats in professional educational institutions, including courses such as engineering and other professional programmes.
The draft rules have been issued by the Karnataka Higher Education Department under the provisions of the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1984. However, the proposal is not yet final. The government has invited objections and suggestions from the public, with responses to be submitted within 15 days of publication of the draft in the Official Gazette. The government will consider the feedback before finalising the rules.
If approved and notified, the amended rules will come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. The move is expected to strengthen access to professional higher education for students from Karnataka’s rural areas and give greater representation to those who have pursued their schooling in rural institutions.
