Karnataka slashes RT-PCR test rates by Rs 500

News Network

August 15, 2020

Bengaluru, Aug 15: The Karnataka government on Friday took a significant decision to reduce the RT-PCR test rates by Rs 500.

"The RTPCR testing rate for COVID-19 infected people who are referred from government hospitals to private labs has been reduced from Rs 2,000 to Rs 1,500. If the tests were conducted directly in private labs, the rates charged there would be reduced from Rs 3,000 to Rs 2,500," Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan said.

This decision was taken at the COVID task force meeting held here on Friday.

"This rate cut will benefit all classes of patients. In addition, it was decided at the meeting to buy 20 lakh Rapid Anti-Gen kit and 18 lakh RTPCR test kits," the Deputy CM said.

Dr Ashwathnarayan further said: "Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has already warned of an increase in the number of infected people in the capital.

Thus all precautions are being taken. It has been decided to procure Rs 12 crore worth equipment to start 115 ICU beds in KG General Hospital."

"All kinds of efforts are being made to reduce mortality. Some tests have to be done. If there is any problem to conduct tests in government hospitals those tests can be done in private labs. This test can reduce mortality by treating the stage of the disease.

In addition, plasma therapy will be expanded throughout the state and arrangements have been made," he added.

Dr Ashwathnarayan further said that more emphasis is being placed on research in immunology.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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