SDM Educational Society

What SDM Educational Society does

SDM Educational Society is a non-profit educational trust founded in 1966 and headquartered in Ujire, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India, operating under the spiritual guidance of Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala. The society manages 56 educational institutions spanning kindergarten through doctoral studies across Karnataka, including the flagship SDM College (Autonomous) Ujire (NAAC 'A' Grade, UGC College with Potential for Excellence), two engineering institutions (Dharwad, Ujire), three Ayurveda colleges and hospitals (Udupi, Hassan, Bangalore), India's first naturopathy and yogic sciences medical degree program, a law college, business management and PGDM programs (including SDMIMD Mysore with dual ACBSP/EFMD EPAS accreditation), a women's college, teacher education (B.Ed, D.Ed), a polytechnic, and an integrated school for disabled children.

The society serves primarily rural youth and students from economically constrained backgrounds in Karnataka, offering what it describes as value-based education that integrates traditional Indian ethics with modern academic programs. Its core technology stack is conventional educational infrastructure (EDUSAT Interactive Terminal, digital library, indoor studio facilities) rather than a proprietary platform. Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees and hospital services (e.g., the 360-bed Ayurveda hospital in Hassan); specific tuition pricing is not publicly disclosed. The society supplements tuition with a scholarship program that has distributed over INR 1 crore annually since 1985, and operates placement-oriented initiatives such as the annual SDM Udyogam job fair that draws 100+ corporate participants.

Governance is led by President Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade (Padma Vibhushan, 2015; Rajya Sabha member since 2022) and Secretary Dr. Satheeshchandra S (designated July 2022, succeeding the late Dr. B Yashovarma). The organization operates as a privately held non-profit trust with no external equity ownership or funding rounds, and is affiliated with multiple Indian universities and regulatory bodies (UGC, AICTE, NCTE, NAAC, NBA, CCIM).

Name

SDM Educational Society

Legal name

SDM Educational Society (R)

Website

https://sdmesociety.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

SDM Educational Society is a non-profit educational trust operating 56 institutions in Karnataka, India, from kindergarten to doctoral level, serving rural and underprivileged students with value-based education, professional programs, and a scholarship program distributing over INR 1 crore annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Professional education
• Engineering education
• Ayurveda medical education
• Educational institutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Bangalore

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

SDM Educational Society operates 56 educational institutions across Karnataka offering academic programs from kindergarten to doctoral studies in general education, engineering, Ayurveda medicine, naturopathy and yogic sciences, law, business management, teacher education, and polytechnic diploma courses. The society also runs a scholarship program distributing over INR 1 crore annually to underprivileged students pursuing professional education.

Product overview

SDM Educational Society is a premier non-profit educational organization managing 56 educational institutions across Karnataka, India—from kindergarten to doctoral studies. The portfolio includes autonomous degree colleges (SDM College Ujire, NAAC 'A' Grade), engineering institutions (SDM College of Engineering & Technology Dharwad, SDM Institute of Technology Ujire), professional colleges (Ayurveda in Udupi/Hassan/Bangalore, Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences, Law, Business Management/MBA, Management Development/PGDM, Polytechnic), teacher education (B.Ed, D.Ed), pre-university colleges, and an integrated school. The institutions are affiliated with various universities (Mangalore University, VTU, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, University of Mysore) and recognized by regulatory bodies (AICTE, NCTE, NBA, NAAC). The society also operates a scholarship program distributing over one crore rupees annually to support underprivileged students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SDM College (Autonomous), Ujire An autonomous undergraduate and postgraduate college affiliated with Mangalore University, featuring NAAC 'A' Grade accreditation, UGC College with Potential for Excellence status, WiFi-enabled campus, central library, research centers, and five active research centers for M.Phil/Ph.D degrees. Targets students seeking arts, science, and professional courses.
• SDM PU College Ujire Pre-university college offering Science, Commerce, and Arts streams with modern infrastructure and focus on personality development covering intellectual, physical, ethical, cultural, and psychological aspects. Targets students completing secondary education in Karnataka.
• SDM College of Engineering & Technology, Dharwad Autonomous engineering college established in 1979, affiliated with Visvesvaraya Technological University and NBA accredited. Recognized as a nationally acclaimed premier engineering institution ranked within top 50 private engineering colleges in India. Targets students pursuing BE/B.Tech engineering degrees.
• SDM Institute of Technology (SDMIT), Ujire Engineering institute affiliated with Visvesvaraya Technological University and AICTE-recognized. Offers BE courses in Computer Science, Information Science, Electronics & Communication, Electrical & Electronics, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering. Houses university-recognized Research Centers in 6 departments for PhD degrees. Targets students seeking engineering education in Karnataka.
• SDM College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Udupi Ayurveda college and hospital offering graduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D level education in Ayurveda, affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and recognized by Central Council of Indian Medicine. Targets students pursuing Ayurveda medical education.
• SDM College of Ayurveda & Hospital, Hassan Ayurveda college and hospital on a 40-acre green campus. Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and recognized by Central Council of Indian Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH. Offers undergraduate (5.5 years), postgraduate (15 specialties, 3 years), Ph.D, and certificate courses with a 360-bed hospital. Targets students pursuing Ayurveda medical education.
• SDM Institute of Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysore Premier business school in Mysore offering a two-year full-time residential Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) approved by AICTE and accredited by NBA. First institute in India with dual accreditation from ACBSP and EFMD EPAS. PGDM recognized as equivalent to MBA by AIU. Targets students pursuing postgraduate management education.
• SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire India's first and premier institution offering a 5-year medical degree in naturopathy and yoga. Affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. Offers comprehensive naturopathic education including Manipulative Therapy, Hydrotherapy, Physiotherapy, Diet Therapy, Fasting Therapy, Acupuncture, and Nutrition. Targets students pursuing naturopathic medical education.
• SDM College of Business Management, Mangalore Management college offering BBA, B.Com., BCA, and BA(HRD) courses. NAAC 'A' Grade accredited with CGPA 3.30. Provides add-on short-term courses, student-centric learning, industry-institution interaction, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Targets students pursuing undergraduate business and commerce education.
• SDM College of Business Management (MBA), Mangalore Post Graduate Centre for Management Studies & Research offering MBA program affiliated to Mangalore University, recognized by Government of Karnataka and AICTE. Features 240 student capacity and 25 employees with state-of-the-art infrastructure in Mangalore city. Targets students pursuing MBA degrees.
• SDM Law College, Mangalore Law college offering Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral programs in law. Known for clinical legal education, legal aid, and legal awareness. Features Arbitration Centre, IPR Innovation Centre, and Law Lab. Alumni occupy positions at Supreme Court and High Court levels. Targets students pursuing legal education.
• SDM MMK and Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Mysore Women's college affiliated to University of Mysore with UGC 2(F) and 12(B) status. Offers Pre-University, Degree (Science, Computer Science, Commerce & Management), and M.Com programs. Features fully computerized library, science laboratories, and active placement cell. Targets women students in Karnataka.
• SDM PU Residential College, Ujire Pre-University residential college offering Science, Commerce, and Arts streams with total attention to academic excellence. Blends traditional values with modern outlook for holistic student development. Targets students seeking residential pre-university education.
• SDM College of Education (B.Ed), Ujire Teacher education college affiliated to Mangalore University and recognized by NCTE, New Delhi. Provides B.Ed course for aspiring teachers with focus on skill development and blend of traditional values with modern educational outlook. Targets students pursuing B.Ed teacher certification.
• SDM Institute of Education (D.Ed), Ujire D.Ed teacher training institution recognized by NCTE, New Delhi. Provides quality primary teacher education rooted in Indian ethos under leadership of Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade. Targets students pursuing D.Ed primary teacher certification.
• SDM Polytechnic, Ujire AICTE-recognized and DTE-affiliated polytechnic offering 3-year (6 semester) diploma courses in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics & Communication Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Targets students pursuing technical diploma education.
• SDM Mangalajyothi Integrated School, Vamanjoor Integrated school providing education to disabled children alongside normal children. Serves orthopedically challenged, hearing impaired, visually impaired, learning disabled, and autistic children with ratio 1:2 compared to normal children from economically and socially backward families. Targets children with disabilities and their families.
• Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute of Ayurveda & Hospital, Bangalore Ayurveda institute and hospital featuring 14 well-equipped departments, extensive library, Central museum, laboratories, and fully equipped hospital wing with diagnostic facilities and well-stocked dispensary. Targets students pursuing Ayurveda medical education in Bangalore.
• SDM Educational Trust Scholarship Program Scholarship initiative under leadership of Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade providing monthly scholarships to needy students since 1985. Awards over one crore rupees annually in scholarships directly transferred to students' bank accounts for professional and postgraduate education. Applications accepted November-December with eligibility criteria including 65% marks and parental income below INR 1.5 lakh. Targets underprivileged students pursuing professional education.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jain (Deemed-to-be University): Jain University is a Bangalore-headquartered deemed university operating multiple schools across engineering, management, sciences, and humanities. Comparable to SDM on Karnataka location, multi-discipline scope, and large-scale institutional network.
• Ramaiah Group of Institutions: Ramaiah is a Bangalore-based educational trust running medical, engineering, dental, pharmacy, and management colleges under a single philanthropic umbrella. Direct peer to SDM on Karnataka concentration, multi-disciplinary trust model, and emphasis on technical/professional education.
• Christ University, Bangalore: Christ University is a Bangalore-headquartered, multi-disciplinary deemed university offering undergraduate through doctoral programs across law, management, engineering, sciences, and humanities. Comparable to SDM on Karnataka location, NAAC accreditation, and value-based educational positioning.
• PES University, Bangalore: PES University is a Bangalore-based private university with strong engineering, management, and science programs and a Karnataka-recruitment focus. Comparable to SDM on Karnataka concentration, engineering-led portfolio, and quality-focused positioning.
• Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE): MAHE is a Karnataka-anchored, multi-disciplinary deemed university running engineering, medical, management, and humanities programs under a trust structure. Most direct comparable to SDM on portfolio breadth, Karnataka heritage, and non-corporate governance model.

Broad incumbents

• Amity University / Amity Education Group: Amity operates a large pan-India network of universities and institutions spanning engineering, management, law, design, and biotechnology. Comparable to SDM on multi-disciplinary portfolio but significantly broader geographic footprint and corporate scale.
• Symbiosis International University, Pune: Symbiosis is a Pune-based multi-disciplinary deemed university running law, management, liberal arts, and medical programs under a trust structure. Comparable to SDM on trust-based governance and management/law program strength, but located in Maharashtra with broader national footprint.
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology: SRM is a large deemed university with flagship engineering, management, medical, and law programs operating across Tamil Nadu and other states. Comparable to SDM on multi-discipline engineering-led portfolio but materially larger scale and broader geography.

Regional players

• Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education: Sri Siddhartha is a Karnataka-based deemed university operating engineering, medical, and dental colleges. Comparable to SDM on Karnataka concentration and multi-disciplinary trust governance, though smaller in portfolio breadth.
• BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore: BMSCE is a Bangalore-based engineering institution established under a charitable trust. Comparable to SDM's engineering colleges (SDMIT, SDMCET) on Karnataka location, NBA accreditation, and trust-governed model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SDME-Society-61566373049295
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sdmesociety

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SDM Educational Society