Pragati 2026 opens with 23,600-plus job offers, AI-powered recruitment support
Moodbidri: The Alva’s Education Foundation is all set to host the 16th edition of Alva’s Pragati 2026, one of Karnataka’s largest employment fairs, beginning on Thursday at its Vidyagiri campus in Moodbidri. More than 350 reputed multinational, national and regional companies are expected to recruit candidates for over 23,600 vacancies during the two-day event.
The job fair, scheduled for August 7 and 8, will bring together employers from a broad spectrum of industries, including healthcare, engineering, information technology, manufacturing, finance, retail, management, nursing and allied sectors. The inaugural ceremony will be held at the V.S. Acharya Auditorium at 9.30 am.
Recruitment activities, including written tests and interviews, will be spread across multiple venues within the sprawling campus, including the Pre-University College, Degree College, Old PG Block and the Nudisiri auditorium complex.
Candidates possessing qualifications ranging from SSLC and PUC to ITI, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, engineering, nursing and paramedical degrees are eligible to participate. Skilled candidates with vocational qualifications can also seek employment opportunities.
The organisers have established a dedicated Career Advancement Centre to oversee the fair. About 120 trained personnel will coordinate operations after undergoing intensive corporate training. Nearly 500 staff members and 1,000 student volunteers will assist candidates and employers during the event.
A distinctive colour-coded identification system has been introduced to classify participants according to their educational qualifications, enabling recruiters to identify eligible candidates quickly and reducing waiting time during interviews.
To simplify the recruitment process further, organisers have published a comprehensive employment handbook containing company profiles, vacancies, eligibility criteria, salary packages, job locations, experience requirements and interview schedules.
More than 800 HR professionals representing participating organisations are expected to conduct interviews and selection processes. The organisers have made accommodation and transport arrangements for company representatives.
Technology is expected to play a major role this year. For the first time, candidates can use an AI-powered chatbot that analyses resumes and academic credentials to recommend the five most suitable employers. QR codes installed across the venue provide instant access to the digital service.
Keeping the monsoon season in mind, covered walkways have been erected across the campus to connect registration counters, interview venues and other facilities. CCTV surveillance, a centralised control room, over 523 interview rooms and large LED information displays have also been put in place.
To facilitate participation from distant districts, 1,500 rooms have been reserved for candidates requiring accommodation. Special buses have been arranged from Byndoor, Brahmavar, Puttur, Beltangady, Subrahmanya and Udupi. Organisers have made online registration mandatory for all candidates before attending the employment fair.