Karnataka to reserve 7.5% professional-course seats for rural govt school students

Karnataka has proposed reserving 7.5 per cent of government seats in professional courses for rural government school students. The move would split the existing rural quota while inviting public feedback before the rules are finalised.Another 7.5 per cent would be available to candidates who studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in any educational institution located in a rural area (Image: pexels.com)The Karnataka government has proposed reserving 7.5 per cent of government seats in professional courses for students from rural government schools, under a draft amendment to the state's admission rules.The proposal is part of a restructuring of the existing 15 per cent rural quota for government seats in professional educational institutions. The remaining 7.5 per cent would be reserved for students who studied in schools or educational institutions located in rural areas, irrespective of whether the institution is government-run or private.The draft Karnataka Selection of Candidates for Admission to Government Seats in Professional Educational Institutions (Amendment) Rules, 2026 was issued by the Higher Education Department (Technical Education). It proposes amendments to Rule 9 of the 2006 admission rules.WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE 7.5% QUOTA?Under the proposed rules, 7.5 per cent of government seats would be reserved horizontally for eligible rural candidates who have studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in government schools or government pre-university colleges managed by the School Education Department and located in rural areas of Karnataka. Another 7.5 per cent would be available to candidates who studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in any educational institution located in a rural area, regardless of whether it is government-run or privately managed.The quota would apply to government seats in professional educational institutions, covering courses such as engineering and other professional programmes.EXISTING 15% RURAL QUOTA TO BE SPLIT The proposal does not create a fresh 15 per cent reservation. Instead, it seeks to divide the existing 15 per cent rural quota into two equal horizontal categories.The move would give students who studied in rural government schools a separate, ring-fenced share within the existing rural quota.The proposal follows the Karnataka government's earlier announcement of a **7.5 per cent special reservation for rural government-school students** under the *Vidyarthi Sahayahastha* initiative. The scheme was announced in August as a measure aimed at improving access to professional education for students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.The proposed rules will come into force only after they are finalised and published in the Official Gazette.The government has invited objections and suggestions from the public and affected persons. These have to be submitted within 15 days of publication of the notification, after which the government will consider the responses before finalising the rules.- EndsPublished By: Mridusmita DekaPublished On: Sep 8, 2026 16:16 IST