Archive · 23 Jul 2026
Khandre Directs Mahatma Gandhi University Revamp
Eshwar B. Khandre, the Minister of Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, has asked the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University to make changes.
He wants the university to offer courses that help students get jobs, like learning foreign languages and artificial intelligence.
He also wants the university to work on projects that help rural areas, like building roads and providing clean water.
The minister wants the university to become self-sufficient and to have a big wall around its campus to prevent people from taking over the land.
He also suggested planting more trees and getting help from companies to make the campus greener.
Khandre directed the university to introduce industry-oriented skill development programs and courses in AI and foreign languages.
The university was instructed to identify skilled youth across all 5,927 gram panchayats and offer specialized training.
Khandre emphasized the importance of quality education and financial self-reliance within six to eight years.
Students will have compulsory exposure to rural development programs as part of their academic curriculum.
The minister proposed organizing hackathons to encourage innovative solutions for rural development.
- Who
- Eshwar B. Khandre, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Pro-Chancellor of the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University
- What
- Directed the university to introduce industry-oriented skill development programs, promote innovation in rural governance, and achieve financial self-reliance.
- When
- During a review meeting of the university’s progress
- Where
- Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Why
- To make the university more relevant to emerging industry requirements and enhance the employability of rural youth.
Industry-Oriented Education
Traditional Academic Focus
Curriculum Modernization
Industry-Oriented Education
Introduce industry-oriented skill development programs and courses in AI and foreign languages to enhance employability.
Traditional Academic Focus
Maintain traditional academic focus to preserve the core values of rural development education.
Financial Self-Reliance
Industry-Oriented Education
Achieve financial self-reliance within six to eight years to ensure sustainability.
Traditional Academic Focus
Rely on government funding to maintain academic independence and avoid commercialization.
- University Name
- Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University
- Minister
- Eshwar B. Khandre
- Campus Size
- 353 acres
- Gram Panchayats
- 5,927
- Proposed Courses
- Spoken English, German, Spanish, Russian, Artificial Intelligence
- Government Initiatives
- VBG Gram Rozgar Mission, Jal Jeevan Mission, Har Ghar Jal, National Rural Livelihood Mission, rural roads programme, social forestry