Mangaluru: Mangalore University has presented its highest deficit budget of Rs 68.3 crore, with the largest burden arising from the international hostel and pension-related liabilities.Vice-chancellor PL Dharma announced the figures during the fourth general academic council meeting held on Tuesday. He said the university’s expenditure has continued to rise while government support has remained inadequate and internal revenue generation has failed to keep pace with growing financial demands.According to the university, the deficit has persisted for the past four years, despite several cost-cutting measures, including reducing contract staff and trimming other expenses. The current shortfall is the highest recorded so far.Of the total deficit of around Rs 68 crore, nearly Rs 38 crore is linked to the international hostel, while about Rs 28 crore is attributed to pension and other retirement benefits. The vice-chancellor said the university has sought substantial financial assistance from the state government to manage these obligations. He said Mangalore University had requested around Rs 40 crore to pay pensions and related retirement benefits, but the government sanctioned only about half that amount and imposed strict guidelines on its use.The university is also facing mounting expenditure on guest faculty salaries. He said these salaries are being paid from Mangalore University’s internal resources, adding to the strain already caused by pension payments. To reduce costs, the university is considering offering only those courses that secure more than 15 admissions. It is also planning to adopt a school concept, which it believes will significantly reduce human resource expenses.Dharma said the financial pressure has been worsened by a sharp decline in admissions. He attributed this partly to affiliated colleges becoming autonomous institutions or deemed universities, reducing the university’s revenue base. He also pointed to the absence of adequate government funding.The university’s deficit stood at Rs 1.8 crore in 2023-24, rose to Rs 21 crore in 2024-25, and then climbed to Rs 37 crore in 2025-26, before nearly doubling this year.
