Bengaluru: The demand for MBA, MCA and MTech courses in the state is showing a downward trend, with at least 50% of the seats going vacant after the completion of all rounds of counselling by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA).
This year, a total of 38,418 seats were available across all three courses, but 19,771 seats remained vacant by the end of the counselling process. In comparison, 15,670 seats were left unfilled in 2024, as reported by Deccan Herald on Friday.
In an attempt to address the vacancy issue, KEA conducted a third round of counselling for the first time, but it did little to help fill the seats.
“This year, even the number of available seats increased compared to last year. There were a total of 38,418 seats available as against the 36,648 seats in 2024,” DH quoted an official of KEA as saying.
Experts attribute the decline in demand to delays in the counselling process. An expert, quoted by DH, said that although the PGCET was conducted three months ago, the counselling was held in October. “But by then, the private universities had completed the admissions by conducting their own entrance tests,” the expert added.
KEA officials, however, reportedly clarified that the delay in counselling was due to the late arrival of the seat matrix, not inefficiencies within the authority.
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Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
