A critical delay by the Department of Ayush in submitting the seat matrix to the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) has stalled counseling, leaving thousands of students facing potential financial penalties and academic loss.
- The Department of Ayush has failed to submit the seat matrix to KEA, delaying the counseling process.
- Engineering and other professional course admissions are nearing completion, with classes starting September 14.
- Students who took provisional admission in other courses risk losing their fees as penalties.
- The delay is attributed to pending permissions from the Union Ministry of AYUSH.
Bengaluru: The counseling process for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) courses in Karnataka has hit a standstill. The Department of Ayush has yet to submit the essential seat matrix to the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), leaving thousands of hopeful students and their parents in a state of severe anxiety.
While the CET seat allocation for other professional streams, including engineering, has already reached its final stages, the AYUSH stream remains in limbo. Prasanna, the Executive Director of KEA, revealed that the authority has sent multiple reminders to the Department of Ayush, but no appropriate response has been received to date.
The Dilemma of Provisional Admissions
A significant number of candidates who aspire to join AYUSH courses have temporarily enrolled in Engineering or Dental Science programs to secure a backup option. Under KEA guidelines, candidates can shift to a better course or college during subsequent rounds without additional fees. However, this window is rapidly closing.
BozokMedia analysis shows that the timing of this delay is catastrophic. According to AICTE mandates, September 14 is the hard deadline for engineering admissions, and classes are scheduled to commence officially on that day. Once academic sessions begin, institutions typically refuse to allow course changes. More critically, students attempting to cancel their admission at that stage may be forced to pay the entire course fee as a penalty.
The systemic failure to synchronize state and central approvals is effectively holding the academic futures of thousands of students hostage to bureaucracy.
Looking at historical data, the AYUSH sector has often faced similar hurdles. In the 2025-26 academic year, there were 121 AYUSH colleges across the state with a total of 8,945 seats. While 7,950 seats were filled through KEA, nearly 1,000 seats remained vacant, highlighting a recurring pattern of inefficiency in the admission cycle.
| Detail | Other Professional Courses (Engg/Dental) | AYUSH Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Counseling Status | Final Stage / Completed | Pending |
| Class Commencement | September 14, 2026 | Unannounced |
| Seat Matrix Status | Submitted | Awaiting Submission |
Sources within the Ayush Department have shifted the blame upward, stating that the delay is due to the Union Ministry of AYUSH, which has not yet granted permission for the seat matrix or seat enhancement for the current session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why is the AYUSH counseling delayed?
A: The Department of Ayush has not submitted the seat matrix to KEA, reportedly because they are awaiting approval from the Union Ministry of AYUSH.
Q2: What happens if a student wants to switch from Engineering to AYUSH after September 14?
A: Most colleges will not allow a course change once classes start, and the student may be required to pay the full course fee as a penalty for cancellation.
