Karnataka, a major hub of higher education in India, allocated only 2.01% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to higher education in 2020-21, ranking among the lowest in the country, according to NITI Aayog’s report, Expanding Quality Higher Education through States and State Public Universities.
Higher Education Spending Across States
- Jammu and Kashmir spent the highest at 8.11% of GDP, followed by Manipur (7.25%), Meghalaya (6.64%), and Tripura (6.19%).
- Karnataka ranked third lowest, above only Delhi (1.67%) and Telangana (2%).
- In terms of budget allocation, Maharashtra led with ₹11,421 crore, followed by Bihar (₹9,666 crore) and Tamil Nadu (₹7,237 crore).
- Karnataka allocated ₹5,129 crore to higher education in 2020-21.
Education Budget Allocation in Karnataka
- Karnataka’s State Budget allocates 12% to education, with 70% for school education and only 30% for higher education.
- Experts suggest that the State government should increase its education budget to 26% to support public universities and government colleges.
Key Performance Indicators
Despite low funding, Karnataka performs well in several higher education metrics:
- College Density: Karnataka has 66 colleges per lakh eligible population (18-23 years), more than twice the national average (30).
- Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER): Karnataka’s GER stands at 36.2%, higher than the national average (28.4%), though Tamil Nadu leads with 47%.
- Pupil-Teacher Ratio: Karnataka maintains a 15:1 ratio, better than the national average (23:1). Tamil Nadu leads with 14:1.
- Top Universities: Karnataka houses 11% of India’s top 100 universities, second to Tamil Nadu (22%).
- State Public Universities: Karnataka leads with 43 State Public Universities (SPUs), followed by West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh (38 each).
Recent Higher Education Initiatives in Karnataka
The NITI Aayog praised Karnataka’s efforts in improving higher education through initiatives launched in 2024:
- English Skills for Youth – Conducted in partnership with Microsoft India, this programme enhanced English proficiency and workplace readiness for 5,795 students in 16 government engineering colleges.
- SCOUT Programme – Offered international exposure through a two-week immersive learning experience at the University of East London, focusing on critical thinking and innovation.
- Capacity Building for International Officers – Supported 28 universities in internationalisation efforts.
- Freemium Digital Library Wall – Launched at Bengaluru City University to expand access to digital learning resources.
Conclusion
Karnataka’s low investment in higher education remains a concern, especially as government colleges and public universities struggle with funding. However, the State continues to perform well in enrolment, teacher-student ratio, and infrastructure while introducing innovative programs to enhance student learning and employability. Addressing budgetary constraints could further strengthen Karnataka’s position as an educational hub in India.
