Autonomy for Udupi First Grade College, seven other govt-run colleges

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 8, 2015

Udupi, May 8: This academic year, studying in an autonomous college may not be an expensive affair for students in Karnataka. While a fresh batch of colleges have been granted autonomy from the academic year 2015–16, the good news is that all eight new autonomous colleges are government-run.

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This means the students will be able to study a customized curriculum and attempt exams different from that of the affiliating universities — all at a subsidized fee.

The list includes the Government First Grade College of Udupi. The Government College in Mandya was the first State-run institution to gain autonomy in 2005–06. During the same year, 10 prominent colleges under Bangalore University (BU) were granted autonomy, with two other colleges joining them later. A few of them then hiked the fee for courses. However, with all the new eight autonomous colleges being government institutions, students need not fret.

In Bengaluru, the Government Science College and Smt. VHD Central Institute of Home Science managed to earn the status.

Welcoming autonomy, K. Ramakrishna Reddy, principal, Government Science College, said the main advantage would be the freedom to tweak the syllabi. “Moreover, we can revise it every two years instead of waiting for five to six years,” he said.

Sticking to the calendar of events will be easier, he said, adding that having its own exam and evaluation pattern will aid the process.

Maintaining that the fee structure will be the same as prescribed by the government, H.C. Ramanna, principal, Smt. VHD Central Institute of Home Science, said the syllabus will definitely be more “industry-specific.”

Intake-wise, the colleges are expected to stick to the existing numbers as of now.

As Prof. Reddy pointed out, the State government has already given the option to colleges graded ‘A’ by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council to increase their intake by 25 per cent.

“With most government colleges doing well when it comes to having enough students for pure science courses, compared to private colleges where there are single digit admissions, autonomy may attract more students towards our college,” he said.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

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