With the prospects of engineering courses declining in the State, SSC pass-outs are lining up for polytechnic courses.
Despite heavy competition for the core courses in polytechnic colleges, the number of students applying for the Andhra Pradesh Polytechnic Common Entrance Test-2016 or AP PolyCet 2016 has increased. Nearly 1,38,000 students have applied for the entrance exams this year in the State against 1.2 lakh last year.
“We have received 14,000 additional applications this year. There are many reasons for the increase in demand, and better job opportunities for diploma-holders from polytechnic colleges is high at present”, Polycet convener and joint secretary and controller of examinations at State Board of Technical Education and Training A. Nirmal Kumar told The Hindu.
Mr. Kumar observed that in the present scenario, diploma holders were being paid more than engineering graduates.
There are more than 370 government and private polytechnic colleges in the State offering a wide range of courses for those with SSC or equivalent qualification. “Many of the polytechnic graduates opt for lateral entry into engineering courses, while the remaining get placed in core companies”, said the principal of a polytechnic college.
Core branches like mechanical, electrical, civil and electronics engineering are most preferred as they give strong foundation in engineering courses if taken through lateral entry. Polytechnic graduates can gain admission into second year engineering through E-cet. Polycet 2016 will be held on April 27 across the state in 333 examination centres which will be coordinated by 40 coordination centres.
In Krishna district, 13, 914 candidates will take the test in 25 centres under three regions — Vijayawada, Machilipatnam and Nandigama. For every two districts, central observers have been appointed to oversee arrangements and the examination.
