A concerning trend has emerged in Karnataka’s higher education landscape, with a new report revealing that only 17% of engineering graduates are securing jobs, leaving a staggering 83% struggling due to lack of industry-relevant skills.
The findings come from a committee led by education expert Prof. Sadagopan, which studied employability trends across the state. The report challenges the long-held belief among parents that enrolling students in engineering courses guarantees stable employment.
The report highlights that the oversupply of computer science graduates has led to shrinking job opportunities in the sector. At the same time, enrolment in core engineering streams such as mechanical, civil and electrical has seen a sharp decline.
Experts warn that the quality of education in several engineering colleges has also deteriorated, with students lacking the competitive skills required by modern industries.“The problem is not just unemployment, but unemployability,” the report notes, pointing to outdated curricula and inadequate practical training. Interestingly, the report points out a significant shortage of skilled professionals in emerging and core sectors. By 2027, India is expected to require 2.5 to 3 lakh professionals in fields such as aerospace, defence, electric vehicles and clean energy. In Karnataka alone, there could be a shortage of 10,000 to 15,000 professionals in these sectors. However, these roles cannot be filled by IT graduates, creating a mismatch between education and industry demand.
To address the crisis, the Karnataka government is planning to set up the Karnataka Engineering Education Reform Authority (KEERA). Higher Education Minister M. C. Sudhakar has indicated that a separate law will be introduced soon to implement reforms in engineering education.
The committee has proposed strict regulations for private colleges, including limiting new courses to 60 seats initially and capping total intake at 900 students per institution. It has also recommended mandatory NBA accreditation for expansion and restrictions on excessive computer science-related courses. A new “Core + AI” curriculum has been suggested to blend traditional engineering disciplines with modern technological skills.
Experts say the report serves as a wake-up call for parents and students who continue to prioritise computer science without assessing market realities. They emphasise the need to focus on skill development, quality education and emerging sectors rather than blindly following trends.