Bengaluru Technical Education Audit Exposes PhD Completion Failures
A recent compliance audit conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has uncovered significant lapses in the Department of Technical Education in Bengaluru. The audit report for 2024 reveals that a staggering 15 out of 19 professors, who were deputed for higher studies under a government programme, failed to complete their doctoral degrees within the prescribed timeframe.
Details of the Quality Improvement Programme
The faculty members were participating in the Quality Improvement Programme administered by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). This initiative allows lecturers from government engineering colleges and management institutes to pursue PhD courses to enhance their expertise and professional capabilities. According to the programme guidelines, the standard duration for completing a doctorate is three years, with a possible extension of up to one year in exceptional circumstances.
Audit Findings and Financial Implications
The CAG report specifically examined the period between 2017-18 and 2020-21. During this time, 19 lecturers from government engineering colleges and polytechnics were deputed to pursue PhDs. Only four of these faculty members managed to complete their doctorates, and even they faced substantial delays of up to 33 months beyond the allotted time.
More concerning is the financial aspect of these failures. As per established rules, if a candidate does not demonstrate sufficient progress or fails to complete the course within the prescribed period, the deputation should be terminated, and all expenditures incurred must be recovered from the individual. However, the audit found that an estimated Rs 5.7 crore spent on these deputations was not recovered from the 15 professors who did not finish their PhDs on time.
Government Response and Recovery Measures
In September 2025, the government acknowledged the issue, stating that all cases of course discontinuation were under examination. Authorities promised to take appropriate action in accordance with the Karnataka Civil Services Act and issued directives to the commissioner of the collegiate and technical education department to initiate recovery proceedings.
H Prasanna, the director of the Department of Technical Education, provided further clarification on the recovery strategy. "The government has decided to recover 50% of the amount from retired employees and 100% from others. We have submitted a proposal in this regard, and it has been approved by the government. Based on this approval, we have now initiated the recovery process," Prasanna stated.
Broader Implications for Technical Education
This audit highlights critical challenges in the implementation of professional development programmes within technical education. The failure to complete PhDs not only represents a waste of public funds but also impacts the quality of education, as the intended enhancement of faculty expertise remains unrealized. The recovery process, while a step toward accountability, raises questions about the oversight mechanisms in place to monitor such deputations and ensure timely completion.
The situation underscores the need for stricter monitoring and support systems for faculty members pursuing higher studies, ensuring that investments in education yield the desired outcomes and uphold the standards of technical institutions in Karnataka.
