Traditional engineering courses losing popularity in Karnataka as students flock to AI, ML: Report
Bengaluru: Traditional engineering disciplines such as mechanical and civil engineering are reportedly losing popularity among students in Karnataka, as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) courses see a surge in demand.
Several engineering colleges have approached the state’s Higher Education Department seeking either a reduction in intake or complete closure of conventional engineering programmes, The New Indian Express quoted officials as saying.
This year, colleges had anticipated a revival in mechanical engineering admissions, particularly under the management quota, due to increasing opportunities in sectors like manufacturing and defence. Similar interest was also expected for government quota seats. However, the interest has reportedly not materialised as expected.
A senior official, quoted by TNIE, said that the popularity of AI-related courses has continued to rise from last year. “This is largely due to the increasing number of job opportunities in AI-related fields, strong demand from the IT industry, and a growing awareness among students about the future potential of emerging technologies like ML and data science,” the official said.
For the academic year 2025–26, a total of 1,35,969 engineering seats have been made available across 217 colleges in Karnataka, including 64,047 under the government quota. This marks a reduction of 5,313 seats compared to 2024–25, when 1,41,009 seats were offered across 245 institutions, with 66,663 in the government quota, the report added.
The final seat matrix for the upcoming year has not yet been released. Officials confirmed that decision to reduce or close certain courses has already been made. Any increase in seats, especially for AI, ML, and related disciplines, will be reflected once all colleges update and submit their data.
Despite an earlier proposal to freeze Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) seats, a substantial number are still available this year. A total of 33,813 CSE seats have been offered, including 15,754 under the government quota. Last year, there were 35,013 CSE seats, of which 16,280 were in the government quota. Additionally, 18,492 seats are available in Electronics and Communication Engineering, and 8,538 in Information Science and Engineering.
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Chhattisgarh govt enforces austerity measures, restricts foreign travel and cuts convoy vehicles
Raipur (PTI): The Chhattisgarh government on Saturday rolled out a set of austerity measures, including restricted use of convoy vehicles for the chief minister, ministers and heads of state-run bodies, besides curbs on foreign travel at government expense.
The state has decided to implement the cost-saving steps with immediate effect to ensure efficient management of financial resources and discipline in public spending, said a directive issued by Finance Secretary Rohit Yadav.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for austerity amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
The order said that only essential vehicles should be used in the convoys of the CM, ministers and office-bearers of corporations, boards and commissions, while ensuring restrained use of other government resources.
It also directed departments to take steps for a phased conversion of all official vehicles into electric vehicles in order to promote the use of EVs.
As part of fuel-saving measures, expenditure on petrol and diesel for government vehicles should be kept to a minimum, the directive said.
Vehicle pooling arrangements should also be implemented for officials of departments travelling to the same destination, it added.
The order further stated that foreign travel of government employees at state expenses will be completely prohibited except under extremely unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, prior approval of the CM will be mandatory.
To reduce administrative expenditure, departments have been instructed to hold physical meetings preferably only once a month and encourage virtual and online meetings. Regular departmental review meetings should compulsorily be conducted through video conferencing, it said.
The government also stressed the need for energy conservation in its offices, directing that all electrical equipment, including lights, fans, air-conditioners and computers, must be switched off after office hours.
The directive will remain effective till September 30 this year.
Amid the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, Modi has suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of EVs, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.
