Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has announced the Vidyarthi Sahayahasta Scheme, which will provide 7.5 per cent reservation within the existing 15 per cent rural quota for admission to professional courses. The announcement was made during the Independence Day celebrations in Bengaluru. The initiative is aimed at improving access to higher education for students from rural government schools.

Under the announced provision, students who have studied from Class 1 to Class 10 in rural government schools will be eligible for the additional reservation within the rural quota. The scheme is expected to benefit students seeking admission to professional programmes, including medical and engineering courses. The government has positioned the initiative as a measure to improve educational opportunities for students from rural areas.

Shivakumar described the initiative as part of a broader effort to help young people acquire skills and access better opportunities. He said the government was introducing programmes intended to support students in building their futures and competing for opportunities in India and abroad. The Vidyarthi Sahayahasta Scheme is expected to provide greater representation to eligible rural students in professional education.

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The initiative is particularly aimed at students who may face financial or geographical barriers while pursuing higher education. By reserving a portion of seats within the existing rural quota, the government intends to create additional opportunities for students who have completed their schooling in rural government institutions. However, the Chief Minister did not provide detailed guidelines on the admission process or specify when the provision would take effect.

The Karnataka Education Department is expected to issue further details on eligibility, implementation and the admission procedure in the coming weeks. Students and parents will need to wait for the official notification before determining how the reservation will apply to specific professional courses. The final guidelines are expected to clarify the documentation and other requirements for students seeking to benefit from the scheme.

The announcement comes as Karnataka expands its focus on educational opportunities and technology-oriented learning. The state has also introduced initiatives related to artificial intelligence and coding education, including plans for AI learning from Class 6 and free Coding Gurukul classes. Together, these measures are aimed at widening access to new learning opportunities and strengthening the skills of students across the state.

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