Karnataka Proposes 15% Rural Quota in Professional Course Seats
Karnataka proposes 15% reservation for rural students in government seats of professional courses, split into two 7.5% quotas.
The Karnataka government has floated draft rules to reserve 15% of government seats in professional educational institutions for students from rural areas. The proposal, issued by the Higher Education Department on September 5, introduces two separate 7.5% quotas based on the type of school a student attended from Class 1 to 10.
The first 7.5% quota is for students who studied in government schools or government pre-university colleges located in rural Karnataka during those years. The second 7.5% quota covers students who attended any school or educational institution in a rural area, whether government-run or private.
These reservations would apply within the existing 15% government-seat quota for professional courses. The draft amendment, titled the Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions (Amendment) Rules, 2026, has been published for public feedback.
Objections and suggestions can be submitted within 15 days of the rules' publication in the Official Gazette. If approved, the amendment will take effect from the date of its gazette notification. The legal basis for the proposal is Section 14 of the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1984.