About FKCCI

The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) is the apex organization representing the Industry, Trade, and Services sectors in Karnataka. Established in 1916, with the guidance and support of Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, FKCCI has played a pivotal role in promoting industrial and economic growth in the state. FKCCI has a membership of over 3,500 direct members comprising large, medium, and small-scale manufacturing, trading, services, and professional organizations across Karnataka. It also includes 30 District Chambers of Commerce and 200 Trade & Industry Associations, representing over 6 lakh MSMEs and 12 lakh traders as indirect members. FKCCI is the apex state-level body for trade facilitation, entrepreneurship development, and policy advocacy.

Manthan is an annual Business Plan Presentation Competition and is one of the flagship events of FKCCI. It was instituted in the year 2009, and is now in its 18th Edition. Manthan aims at encouraging and empowering entrepreneurship, and business innovation, across young minds, and thus develop and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit. For the first time in its history, FKCCI is collaborating with the Department of Higher Education, Government of Karnataka, for this edition titled “Inno-Manthan”, to further strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in young minds across the State of Karnataka. Through this award program, Manthan reaches out to all college students (Undergraduate, Graduate, Postgraduate, and Diploma students) from institutions across Karnataka, and in this edition, there is a special focus on Government colleges in Karnataka.

The Department of Collegiate Education (DCE), established in 1960, works to provide quality higher education to all sections of society, with special focus on rural, marginalized and socio-economically weaker students, especially girls. It oversees planning, administration, development, governance and funding of Government First Grade Colleges across Karnataka. The Department aims “to ensure equitable, relevant and futuristic learning in all institutions under its purview”. At present, it manages 440 Government First Grade Colleges and 21 Aided First Grade Colleges. Guided by renowned educationists like Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and Sri L. V. Modaliar, the Department has evolved from managing 44 colleges to being one of the largest educational networks in India. The Department ensures student empowerment through holistic education, imparting employment skills, operating the ‘Maitri’ helpline, and offering skill courses through schemes such as Kalike Koushalya and the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Program.

The Department of Technical Education (DTE) was started in 1959 to ensure the planned development of technical education in the state in accordance with national and state policies. The department is dedicated to providing need-based, quality technical education and producing skilled human resources for industry, business and the community. As the highest policy-making body for technical education in Karnataka, DTE is responsible for planning and developing technical education across the state. The Board of Technical Examinations conducts Diploma, Post-Diploma and Tailoring examinations and awards certificates to eligible candidates. Its vision is “to deliver high-quality technical education that meets industry standards and to prepare students with skills required for global competitiveness”.