Pre-university education department tells students not to get admitted to unauthorised colleges in Karnataka

Bengaluru: The department of pre-university education issued a public advisory cautioning parents and students against taking admission in PU colleges that hold academic activities from unauthorised locations.

In a circular dated May 20, the department said it came to its notice that some PU colleges were formally admitting students into recognised institutions while conducting classes in coaching centres or training institutes that do not have approvals under existing regulations.

The advisory said such practices violate Karnataka Education Act, 1983, and Pre-University Rules, 2024. The department warned that institutions found indulging in these irregularities could face regulatory action, including withdrawal of academic recognition and cancellation of permission to run PU courses.

Officials cautioned that students enrolled in such unauthorised setups could face serious disruption to their academic schedules if action is initiated against the institutions.

It is a common practice in Karnataka of students getting admitted to dummy PU colleges and spending their days in coaching centres. The tie-up is such that students are given required attendance and come back to the college campus only for practicals and language classes. The fees given are usually split between the college and coaching centre.

The department advised those seeking admission for I PU and II PU courses for academic year 2026-27 to verify the authorised campus location of colleges, approved subject combinations and sanctioned intake strength through the official website of department of school education (pre-university).

Parents have been urged not to rely on verbal assurances on proposed approvals, future expansion of courses or shifting of academic activities to alternate locations, noting that all official approvals related to new colleges, additional sections and combinations will be notified only through the department's website.

Bharath S, director, department of PU education, said: “We are providing this information so that parents enrol students in institutions with proper credentials. It is also an intimation to institutions not to engage in unauthorised activities. We will take up inspections later in the academic year.”