Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 24: As Mangaluru continues to attract a large number of students from outside districts for higher education, competition for admission to government hostels has intensified, particularly among economically backward students who largely depend on such facilities. As a result, demand for post-matric hostels in the district has far exceeded availability.

The situation is more acute in hostels located within Mangaluru city, where competition for seats is extremely high. Under the backward classes welfare department (BCM), the district has a total of 80 hostels, of which 59 are post-matric hostels. In addition, the social welfare department runs 30 Dr B R Ambedkar hostels, of which 11 are post-matric hostels.

Despite the existing infrastructure, more than 2,000 students are currently deprived of hostel facilities. Students have therefore urged the government to announce additional hostels for the district in the upcoming budget.

Under the BCM department, Devaraj Urs Backward Classes post-matric hostels in the district together have the capacity to accommodate around 3,400 students. However, demand remains much higher, with over 1,400 students having applied and currently on the waiting list for hostel admission. Department sources said hostels located in Mangaluru city witness the highest demand.

Hostels run by the social welfare department are also facing heavy demand. A proposal for one boys’ hostel and one girls’ hostel, each with a capacity of 100 students, has been submitted to senior department officials, a local official said.

The minority welfare department operates 13 hostels in the district. During the 2024–25 academic year, six additional hostels were sanctioned. Of the available seats, 75 per cent are reserved for minority students and 25 per cent for students from other communities. There is significant demand for hostels in Mangaluru city and Moodbidri. All existing seats have already been filled, and more than 500 applications are pending this year, a department official said.

Officials further stated that there is a demand for five boys’ hostels and five girls’ hostels in Mangaluru city. The matter has been brought to the notice of senior department authorities.