Yathindra steps in to resolve UoM research scholars’ scholarship issue
Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Friday intervened to resolve the scholarship issue affecting Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe research scholars at the University of
Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Friday intervened to resolve the scholarship issue affecting Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe research scholars at the University of Mysore (UoM) for the academic year 2026–27. At a high-level meeting held in Bengaluru, the Minister raised the concerns of the affected scholars with senior officials and directed them to find an immediate solution. Addressing the issue of scholarship support for 116 eligible research scholars who had qualified in the entrance examination, Dr. Yathindra instructed officials to ensure that all of them are granted admission.
Explaining the university’s position, UoM Vice-Chancellor N.K. Lokanath said the institution was facing financial constraints following the bifurcation of Mandya and Chamarajanagar into separate universities, making it difficult to extend scholarship support to all eligible candidates. To break the deadlock, the Minister proposed a joint arrangement under which the Department of Social Welfare would provide scholarships to 58 students, while the UoM would support the remaining 58 scholars. Officials from the Higher Education Department and the Social Welfare Department responded positively to the proposal. The Minister also held discussions with the research scholars and representatives of their association.
During the interaction, he noted that some research guides had admitted students beyond their academic capacity, contributing to the present situation. He advised the university to align future admissions with the availability of research guides and institutional resources to prevent similar issues from recurring. He also urged students to cooperate in view of the prevailing circumstances. The Minister’s intervention is expected to pave the way for an early resolution of the scholarship issue. Tulasi Maddineni, Secretary to the Government, Higher Education Department; Mohan Raj, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare; and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The research scholars have been on an indefinite strike in front of Crawford Hall in Mysuru for many days, seeking a solution to the scholarship issue. The issue reached Dr. Yathindra’s notice after the scholars met him and discussed the issue, following which the meeting was convened to resolve the matter in the interest of the research scholars.
The BriefWire