KSOU Opens Admissions to 65 Courses, October 15 Last Date to Apply

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has opened admissions to 65 courses for the current academic cycle, with October 15 set as the last date to apply. The programmes are offered through the open and distance learning mode.

Addressing a press conference in Dharwad on Tuesday, Vice-Chancellor A.P. Jnanaprakash said KSOU certificates are recognised for employment, including recruitment to the Union Public Service Commission and the Karnataka Public Service Commission, subject to the eligibility requirements of the respective recruitment processes. Students may also pursue two courses simultaneously at the university in accordance with applicable regulations, he said.

For the first time, the University Grants Commission has approved 500 seats for the Bachelor of Education programme at KSOU. The university has also introduced 10 online courses. Candidates who have completed PUC are eligible to apply for these programmes.

On fee waivers, the Vice-Chancellor said the number of minority students receiving full fee waivers has been increased from 5,300 last year to 12,300 this year. Scholarships are available to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, while fee concessions are extended to BPL cardholders, ex-servicemen, autorickshaw and cab drivers, and employees of State Transport Corporations. A 25% fee concession is being provided to prisoners enrolling in its courses.

Arrangements will be made for prisoners from jails in Belagavi, Gadag and Haveri who enrol in KSOU programmes to appear for their examinations at Dharwad Central Prison.

KSOU is also planning to establish skill development centres in Kalaburagi and Yadgir. A proposal seeking ₹125 crore from the Union government under the PM-YKKS scheme for the construction of the centres has been submitted. The university plans to introduce six courses related to the film industry, along with short-term skill development programmes.

The proposed initiatives are aimed at expanding KSOU's academic and skill-development programmes and making higher education accessible to a wider section of students.