The craze for engineering continues among students as 1.9 lakh engineering aspirants have purchased application forms within one week of Anna University starting to sell application forms, compared to a total of 1.65 lakh last year.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Friday, Prof V. Rhymend Uthariaraj, secretary, Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission (TNEA), said Anna University had sold 1,90,457 application forms for the government’s single window counselling for engineering colleges, till May 18.
“Last year, we sold 1.65 lakh application forms altogether and, this year, the number has crossed 1.9 lakh today itself and we still have over 10 days left. So, we expect the number to cross 2 lakh this year. We have printed 2 lakh application forms this year,” he said.
Pointing out that the university had decided to print 20,000 additional forms, Prof Uthariaraj said as only students who get admission through government’s single window counselling become eligible for government concession and benefits, they like to take up counselling through Anna University.
He reasoned that the university’s decision to issue application forms before the release of class 12 results helped increase the number.
“With more private engineering colleges in the state having more than 1.6 lakh seats, the craze for engineering continues this year also.
I am certain that I will get a seat in any of the private engineering colleges even if I score less, which prompted me to buy the application form,” said D. Rajesh, a student who visited Anna University here.