The Karnataka government has formally agreed to scrap the mandatory requirement for minority educational institutions to enroll at least 50 per cent students from their respective minority communities. The change, outlined in the draft amendment to the Karnataka Educational Institutions (Provisions and Conditions for Recognition of Minority Educational Institutions) Rules, 2024, was approved by the Cabinet on Friday.
Background to the decision
According to existing rules, minority institutions providing higher and technical education must ensure that 50 percent of their students are minority. Minority religion They represent to maintain their ‘minority institution’ status. This requirement has posed challenges, especially for organizations run by smaller communities such as Christians, Jains, Sikhs and Parsis, who have a limited population base in Karnataka.
In March 2024, the government decided to relax these norms, removing the fixed percentage quota requirement for schools and higher education institutions run by minority communities. Draft rules formalizing this decision are currently being prepared.
While smaller community-run organizations welcomed the decision, Muslim minority organizations objected. Based on the relatively large population, Muslim-run schools and colleges have no difficulty meeting the 50 percent requirement. However, government officials said the rules could not be amended selectively to exempt Muslim institutions and loosen norms for others.
In addition, the Cabinet has also approved periodic compliance reporting by minority institutions, and it is proposed to remove the provisions for revoking minority status on the basis of non-compliance. The government has now invited public feedback on the proposed draft amendments for minority institutions.