Managements of several engineering colleges might have to stare at blank walls when classes for first year students commence next month, as Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission authorities foresee the possibility of at least 70,000 BE/BTech seats finding no takers.
With supply far exceeding the demand for technical education in the State, if this prediction comes true, it would by far be the largest number of seats falling vacant in the history of the single window counselling for government quota seats.
Anna University officials said a major reason for this is that private engineering colleges this year have surrendered more seats including from their management quota to the common pool, as they were unable to attract students on their own.
On July 2, at the end of counselling, only 41,176 candidates were allotted seats. As many as 10,316 candidates (19.98%) have abstained from attending counselling. Another 137 candidates attended counselling but did not continue, as they failed to get their preferred choice of college and course. Still 1,55,137 seats, including 25 seats in Anna University, 2,359 seats in Anna University constituent colleges and regional centres, 470 seats in government and government-aided colleges and a whopping 1,52,283 seats in self financing colleges remains to be filled.
Counselling will go on for another 25 days when about 1.30 lakh candidates will be called. “Only 1,77,975 candidates had applied for counselling, while there are over 1.96 lakh seats,” an official said.