HYDERABAD: There is an unprecedented demand this year for the engineering stream applications of the EAMCET. With still two-weeks time left for submission of applications authorities predict the number to hit the roof.

Several candidates had to return empty handed from eSeva centres and the post offices where EAMCET applications were being sold from Thursday. "For the second successive day I could not get an application from the Khairatabad eSeva centre and also the GPO at Abids," said Ifthekar, uncle of an aspirant.

Till Thursday 1,18,435 applications of the Engineering stream were sold across the State forcing the authorities to order for fresh printing. Sale of medicine stream applications has also picked up compared to last year with 78,464 forms having been sold so far. Interestingly, only 1.18-lakh engineering applications were sold last year.

Rush after final date

"With five more days left for the last date without fee and another 18 days left for submission with penal fee the number will surely increase," says L.V.A.R. Sarma, Convener, EAMCET-2006. He reminds that EAMCET Committee had received Rs. 12 to 13 lakhs as penal fee last year and it indicates how there will be a mad rush after the final date is over.

Prof. Sarma says 1.55-lakh engineering forms and 1.05-lakh medicine forms were printed originally but gauging the present trend another 10,000 additional engineering forms were being printed. "They will be sent to the selling points by Saturday," he said.

Regarding the reported shortage, he says students tend to go to big centres to get the forms ignoring the small centres. Moreover, there is an increase in the demand that might have also led to temporary shortage. "The EAMCET office released another 10,000 copies on Thursday and they will be available at all centres," he said.

Positive growth

Regarding the sudden rise in sale of applications, academics say the healthy job sector and a positive growth indication in the engineering sector fuelled the demand. The last date for receipt of applications is March 7 but students can submit till March 23 with a fine of Rs. 1,000. Applications will be on sale till March 20.

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