No admission fee hike; several student-centric facilities: VC Prof. A.P. Gnana Prakash

Mysuru: Mysuru-based Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has launched the admission process for the 2026-27 academic year, targeting an enrolment of 80,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma and online programmes.

Addressing a press conference at the KSOU meeting hall yesterday, Vice-Chancellor Prof. A.P. Gnana Prakash said the admission process for the July cycle commenced on June 22 and around 10,000 students have already enrolled. Admissions will remain open till Sept. 15.

Of the targeted enrolment, the University expects around 50,000 students to join University Grants Commission (UGC)-approved courses and another 30,000 to opt for online programmes.

Providing details of the academic offerings, Prof. Gnana Prakash said KSOU offers 65 UGC – approved courses, 10 online courses, 75 academic programmes and 30 postgraduate courses. B.Ed. courses have also been introduced from the current academic year, with an intake of 500 seats.

Students can complete the admission process at any of the University’s Regional Centres or enrol online through the admission portal on the KSOU website: www.ksoumysuru.ac.in

Lateral entry

Students who have discontinued their studies under the regular stream can seek admission directly to the second or third year through the lateral entry scheme, Prof. Gnana Prakash said.

No fee hike

Clarifying that there has been no increase in admission fees, the Vice-Chancellor said the University offers 100 percent fee exemption to students from minority communities, transgender persons, visually impaired candidates and those who lost their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 10 percent concession in tuition fees is available for women Below Poverty Line (BPL) card holders, ex-servicemen, autorickshaw drivers, cab drivers and employees of Road Transport Corporations (RTCs).

50-day accommodation

Prof. Gnana Prakash said KSOU has introduced several student-centric facilities, including study centres, a mobile app, a YouTube channel, a dedicated Skill Development Department, ‘Prasaranga,’ community radio, coaching for competitive examinations with 50-day accommodation, an e-library, 70 examination centres across the State, a bank and hostel facilities.

He also pointed out that, in accordance with UGC regulations, students can simultaneously pursue one full-time degree programme and another course through the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode.

KSOU Registrar Prof. K.S. Naveen Kumar, Dean (Academics) Prof. M. Ramanatham Naidu, Registrar (Evaluation) Dr. C.S. Anand Kumar, Finance Officer Dr. Niranjaraj, Dean (Study Centres) Dr. N. Anand Gowda and others were present.

10 online courses on offer

KSOU introduced 10 online courses in the previous academic year, attracting around 1,000 students. The University has set a target of enrolling 30,000 students in online programmes this year.

The courses offered are BA (History, Economics and Political Science), B.Com, MA (Kannada, English, Hindi, Sanskrit and Economics), M.Com, MBA  and M.Sc. (Mathematics).

KSOU is the only Open University in Karnataka offering distance education and has completed three decades of service. Students are admitted only to UGC – recognised courses.

The University has secured an A+ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and is ranked second under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). KSOU has also entered into an MoU to provide skill development training.

—Prof. A.P. Gnana Prakash, Vice-Chancellor, KSOU