Supply-demand gap in engineering seats to continue

In 2018-19, only 45% seats were filled; trend no reflection on profession: experts

The supply of BE/B.Tech seats in Tamil Nadu has clearly outgrown the demand as the dismal admission record posted for the last academic year in both deemed universities and engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University show.

In 2018-19, only 45% of the seats in engineering colleges in the State were filled. Deemed universities did slightly better with 59% of its seats being filled. Although data for previous years are not available for deemed universities, it is obvious that they too have been facing the same set of problems as Anna University’s affiliated colleges.

Course correction

Though the State has seen a reduction in the number of sanctioned seats over the past few years, the course correction will have to continue for several years if the current situation persists, say experts.

According to the data provided by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in the academic year 2018-19, more than half the number of BE/B.Tech seats remained vacant despite the Council slashing the students’ intake.

Earlier this year, AICTE chairman Anil D. Sahasrabudhe had said that there would be a reduction of 15% seats across the country for the academic year 2019-20.

Mr. Sahasrabudhe had said the demand for engineering had been steady but that the colleges had increased the intake anticipating a surge in admissions.

According to engineering educators, however, this is no reflection on the profession. The Directorate of Technical Education has said that within a fortnight of opening its portal over one lakh students have applied for the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions 2019. The Anna University too has reduced the students’ intake in as many as 92 colleges citing lack of adherence to the AICTE norms for affiliation.

The number of seats in 300 courses has been reduced by as much as 25% to 50%.

University officials said the exact number of sanctioned seats would be available only after the DoTE generates the random number for single-window counselling. But engineering educators estimate that this year the State might have around two lakh engineering seats.

Deemed universities

Since last year deemed universities have been asked to provide the admission details to the Council.

The data for deemed universities in the State show that they have only fared a little better than engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University in attracting students.

The deemed universities filled only 59% of their seats. According to the Council, of the 47,705 seats available to them only 28,573 were filled in the last academic year.