Fee exception for girls to power ITI growth

Hubballi: The state govt’s decision to give annual tuition fee exemption for girls in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) from the coming academic year is expected to significantly boost enrolment, especially in regions like Belagavi division where demand is already high.State-run ITIs in the Belagavi division have consistently recorded around 85% admissions every year, the highest in the state, compared to an overall enrolment of 75% across Karnataka for 2025–26.A total of 73 ITIs are functioning in the Belagavi division. The state is divided into four regions — Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Mysuru, and Bengaluru. The govt has announced free admission for girls from the coming academic year to boost enrolment.Officials said ITIs in the Belagavi region, including those in Hubballi-Dharwad, have witnessed high demand due to industrial growth and the expansion of industrial areas, which have created ample employment opportunities. Some centres in the region offer a large number of trades; for instance, ITI Vidyanagar offers 23 trades with a focus on technical, mechanical, and electrical skills.According to a department source, around 1,000 women candidates secure admission in govt ITIs every year. Of these, about 500–600 join one-year courses, while 300–400 enrol in two-year programmes. With the annual tuition fee exemption of Rs 1,200 for women candidates from this year, officials expect a further rise in female enrolment.Basavaprabhu Hiremath, joint director of the Hubballi division, department of industrial training and employment, told TOI that the region records around 85% enrolment annually. “We have about 10,000 seats across 73 institutions, and almost every centre reports near-full enrolment. We are working to further improve this. With the govt waiving fees for women candidates, enrolment is expected to increase,” he said. He added that awareness campaigns are being conducted in rural areas regarding the fee exemption.Ravindra Dyaberi, principal of ITI Vidyanagar, said there are nine ITIs in Hubballi and Dharwad. The Hubballi institute offers 23 trades, while Dharwad offers 11. “Out of 800 seats, more than 750 have been filled in Hubballi, while Dharwad has achieved 100% enrolment,” he said.He added that 50–60% of candidates join industries, 10–20% pursue higher education, and the rest opt for self-employment. Admissions for 2026–27 are currently underway, and female enrolment, which was earlier low, is expected to rise. Dyaberi said the district has seen strong industrial growth across sectors such as automobile, mechanical, and services. “Industries require skilled manpower and are keen to recruit trained youth from ITIs,” he said.