Governor Bats for Indian Attire at Convocations, Seeks Budget Boost for Universities
Bengaluru, February 21, 2026:
Calling for a renewed emphasis on cultural identity in academia, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Saturday suggested that universities across the State adopt Indian traditional attire for annual convocation ceremonies. He said such a move would promote India’s cultural heritage while strengthening the identity of public institutions.
The Governor made the remarks while presiding over the Karnataka State Public Universities Vice Chancellors’ Conference–2026 in Bengaluru. The conference was organised by Lok Bhavan in collaboration with the Higher Education Department and the Karnataka State Higher Education Council.
Beyond symbolism, the Governor also delivered a strong message on funding and governance. With the State Budget scheduled to be presented on March 6, he urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to ensure that higher education receives structured and adequate financial support. Noting that universities have limited internal revenue sources, he said they require special budgetary care to sustain growth and maintain standards.
He called for filling long-pending vacancies in institutions such as Karnataka State Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Kannada University, Karnataka Janapada University and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar School of Economics University, along with adequate financial allocations for infrastructure and academic development.
Focus on Admissions and Academic Discipline
The Governor said the deliberations reflected Karnataka’s readiness to steer higher education in a new direction. He stressed the need to increase admissions in government universities and examine why students continue to prefer private institutions despite higher fees.
Strict adherence to academic calendars — ensuring timely admissions, examinations and declaration of results — was identified as a priority. He also called for closer coordination between Vice Chancellors and Registrars, upskilling of faculty, curriculum revisions aligned with present-day needs, and the introduction of more job-oriented programmes.
Improving campus cleanliness, greenery and infrastructure was emphasised, alongside implementation of national initiatives such as “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”. The Governor also encouraged universities to promote sports so students can compete at district, state, national and international levels.
Governance and Compliance
Highlighting the importance of institutional credibility, the Governor urged strict compliance with Government of India and UGC guidelines within stipulated timelines. Transparency in financial management and democratic resolution of internal disputes, he said, are critical to maintaining public trust.
He encouraged universities to expand international collaborations for academic exchange, improve national rankings, and address faculty shortages and infrastructure gaps. Leveraging Central schemes and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, with support from the State Government, was suggested to ease financial constraints.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, Higher Education Minister M. C. Sudhakar, senior officials and Vice Chancellors of public universities attended the conference, which began with the rendition of Vande Mataram, Jana Gana Mana and Naada Geethe.