About Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Engineering College
Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Engineering College (SDMEC) is a private VTU-affiliated engineering college in Dharwad — established in 1986 under the SDM (Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara) Educational Trust and holding NAAC A accreditation. The SDM Trust, based at the Dharmasthala temple in Dakshina Kannada, operates one of Karnataka's most extensive charitable and educational networks. SDMEC is distinct from SDM College of Engineering and Technology (SDMCET), which is a separate institution also in Dharwad under the same trust.
Quick Facts
| Founded | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Location | Dharwad, North Karnataka (Hubli-Dharwad twin city) |
| Managed By | SDM Educational Trust, Dharmasthala |
| Affiliation | Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) |
| Approval | AICTE |
| Accreditation | NAAC A |
| Website | sdm.ac.in |
Branches and KCET Cutoffs 2025 (GM)
| Branch | KCET 2025 Closing Rank (GM) |
|---|---|
| BE Computer Science & Engineering | ~15,000–25,000 |
| BE Electronics & Communication | ~25,000–45,000 |
| BE Mechanical Engineering | ~50,000–80,000 |
| BE Civil Engineering | ~60,000–90,000 |
| BE Electrical & Electronics | ~40,000–65,000 |
Verify at cetonline.karnataka.gov.in.
Fee Structure 2026-27
| Category | Annual Tuition (Approx) |
|---|---|
| KCET / Government Quota | Rs 1–1.5 lakh per year |
| COMEDK / Management Quota | Rs 1.8–2.5 lakh per year |
SDM Trust — Dharmasthala Legacy
The SDM Educational Trust is one of Karnataka's most respected charitable trusts — based at the Dharmasthala temple complex in Dakshina Kannada, run by Heggade family with a 900-year temple legacy. The Trust operates SDM Medical College (Dharwad), SDM Dental College, SDM Ayurveda, multiple SDM colleges and SDMCET alongside SDMEC. The Trust's charitable ethos historically translates to stable management, reasonable fees and institutional continuity that private for-profit trusts can't match.
Who Should Apply
SDMEC suits students from Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and surrounding North Karnataka districts in the 15,000–30,000 GM KCET range. SDM Trust backing provides institutional reliability. Compare SDMEC with SDMCET Dharwad (separate institution, same trust, NAAC A+) — SDMCET has stronger accreditation. Students who can access SDMCET should compare cutoffs carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SDMEC the same as SDMCET Dharwad?
No. SDMEC (Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Engineering College) and SDMCET (SDM College of Engineering and Technology) are separate institutions in Dharwad, both under the SDM Trust. SDMCET holds NAAC A+ accreditation; SDMEC holds NAAC A.