Shortage of Hostels Thwarts Higher Education for Thousands

An acute shortage of hostels in Karnataka has left thousands of students without access to higher education. The lack of accommodation, particularly in districts known for their educational institutions, has forced many students to abandon their studies or seek costly private housing options. According to official data, less than 20% of applicants are able to secure a place in government-run hostels.

The Backward Classes and Minorities (BCM) Department has reported receiving over 300,000 applications for hostel accommodations this year. Out of these, approximately 60%, or 200,000 applications, are from students seeking places in major educational hubs such as Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Mysuru, Davanagere, Bengaluru, and Kalaburagi. However, only 40,000 hostel seats are available in these districts, highlighting a significant shortfall.

Impact on Students and Families

The BCM Department currently operates 1,258 post-matric hostels, which include 566 for boys and 692 for girls, providing a total intake capacity of 168,833 students. The overwhelming demand has resulted in a rejection rate of over 80%, leaving many students to navigate a difficult housing market. In Dharwad district alone, 15,938 students applied for hostel accommodation, but only 1,690 were admitted, meaning that more than 90% were denied a place.

Similar situations are occurring in Kalaburagi and Belagavi, where over 18,000 students in each district are still awaiting admission. To cope with the crisis, some hostel rooms that ideally accommodate 4-5 students are now housing 7-8, leading to overcrowding and adverse living conditions. Many students are compelled to turn to expensive private hostels or paying guest accommodations, creating a financial burden that some cannot sustain, ultimately resulting in the abandonment of their studies.

Government Response and Future Proposals

Concerns about the hostel crisis have been voiced by various stakeholders. Bhavani Shankargouda, a representative of the AIDSO, noted that this issue has persisted for two decades but became more acute following the pandemic, as educational costs surged while many middle-class incomes stagnated. Manikant Kalasa, a member of the ABVP, emphasized that the shortage is a statewide problem, attributing it to the neglect of the education sector by successive governments.

BCM officer H. Bhanumati acknowledged the high demand for hostel seats across the state, indicating that the department has submitted a proposal for 28 new hostels in Dharwad to address the growing need. Bhanumati noted that the demand is particularly pronounced in urban areas, where students flock for educational opportunities, leaving rural locations with lower demand for BCM hostels.

The current crisis highlights the urgent need for government action to expand hostel facilities and ensure that students from all backgrounds have access to higher education. With a significant number of students seeking accommodation, the government’s efforts to approve additional hostels will play a critical role in alleviating this ongoing issue.