Of 19,277 mechanical engineering seats available this year for counselling, 10,051 seats got filled (52%). Last year only 35% seats were filled. In civil engineering, of 10,808 seats available, 4,772 seats got filled (44%), which is an increase from 28% in the previous year.
Electrical and electronics engineering (EEE), electronics and communication engineering (ECE) branches too filled more seats this year. While 63% EEE seats filled this year, 77% ECE seats filled in the counselling.
Experts said the increase in interest to pursue core branches is mainly due to fewer job offers by IT companies and willingness from students to take any branches in the top engineering colleges.
“There is a change in the mindset of students. Now, they are willing to pursue core branches in the top colleges due to fewer job offers by IT companies,” career consultant Jayaprakash Gandhi said.
However, computer-related courses such as computer science engineering (CSE), AI and data science, IT remained the most preferred courses in the counselling. While 84% seats are filled in CSE, AI and data science courses, 88% seats filled in information technology.
“Two-years back students were particular about joining computer science engineering. If they don’t get it in the top college, they will go to a lesser-known college. This year, students are giving priority to top colleges,” said Abhay Meganathan, vice-chairman, Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions.
Colleges are rolling out minor degree programmes for core branch students to train them in IoT, AI and data related courses to make them industry ready. “They can do 25 extra credits to get the minor degree,” he added. Colleges in tier-2 cities also witnessed a spike in admissions to core engineering branches.
The number of seats allotted in the counselling has increased by 15% compared to last year. Of 1,60,780 seats available in the counselling, 1,16,620 seats filled in the counselling this year.
“After a gap of six years, we have seen very good admissions in engineering counselling. Students have preferred engineering courses compared to basic science courses such as BSc maths, BSc physics,” Jayaprakash Gandhi added.
Anna University vice-chancellor R Velraj said the more engineering admissions could be due to better campus placements in the previous two years.
Anna University plans to conduct inspections of engineering colleges which have received conditional approval. “The inspection will begin in a few weeks,” he said.
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