Architecture aspirants, who arrived for counselling at Anna University on Sunday, were disappointed to find only 35 seats of the university offered under the general counselling quota.
Last year, the council of architecture, a Central government body, halved the university’s intake of students from 80 to 40 – citing shortage of space and insufficient faculty.
The reduced intake was to be in effect from the academic year 2012-2013 for a period of five years.
Aggrieved by this decision, the university had filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court.
Following this, university officials said, a team from the council had come to inspect their facilities last week, and had given them positive feedback.
However, an official said they were yet to receive confirmation from the council about the restoration of seats.
Many students had to leave on Sunday, with no seat. “We had come hoping for an Anna University seat, but there are just 14 seats under the open category. Many private colleges in remote districts have more than 60 seats. How can Anna University, which has better facilities, have just 40 seats?” asked a parent.
Officials at the council of architecture said the university had admitted many students in recent years, without following norms.
“There are also charges levelled against the university of selling seats for several lakhs,” said a council member.
According to the council, 46 students were admitted in 2007 as against the permitted 40, while in 2008, the university admitted 53. In 2010, when the permitted intake was increased to 80, the university admitted 94 students, and 83 the next year.
Sources at Anna University however said they may hold a re-counselling session if they number of seats increased.
