As yet another academic year begins, the rush for undergraduate courses in arts and science colleges has also started, with subjects such as Commerce, and its branches of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning topping students’ preferences.

Admissions to government arts and science colleges in the State commenced on May 7 with online registration enabled through the official www.tngasa.in portal.

Admission Facilitation Centres (AFC) and help desks have been established in institutions to help those Class XII students who cannot apply independently.

“So far, UG programmes in Computer Science and Commerce-Computer Applications are in high demand among Science stream students. We also have had a good response for our pure science courses in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, and are expecting an intake of 1,600 students this year,” K. Angammal, principal, Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College, Tiruchi, told The Hindu.

According to official data, for the forthcoming academic year, a total of 1,26,959 seats are available across 159 courses in 181 government arts and science colleges in the State. In shift 1, 1,01,022 seats are available while in shift 2, the number is 25,937. 

Waning interest in conventional science streams such as Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry has created a problematic situation for colleges. “While we have already crossed over 400 student admissions in Computer Science and Commerce courses, our combined intake for Mathematics and Physics is only around 10 students so far. Colleges across the board are worried about this decline in interest for pure sciences,” said D.I. George Amalarethinam, principal, Jamal Mohamed College. th

“We have been receiving around five to 10 students per day at our AFC and help desk since admissions opened. The demand for Mathematics and Physics seems to have gone down in recent years. However, these departments will continue to be functional and we will utilise their staff in other capacities,” said D. Ganesan, principal, Arignar Anna Government Arts College in Musiri.

Academicians said that students were eager to take up technology-related courses that could lead them to assured employment upon graduation.

“Many school students, especially from rural areas, need to be advised about the courses that could opt for, based on their academic performance and the subjects they have studied. Those from economically weaker sections are also worried about how to balance their studies with a part-time job to support their families,” said a tutor in a city college.

Private colleges in Tiruchi are charging fees of up to ₹40,000 per semester for Commerce owing to its high demand.

“Due to hectic competition and financial problems after the COVID-19, student admissions had seen a general slowdown in colleges. This year, we have received up to 75 admission enquiries per day since the registration began, so we are hopeful of a higher student intake,” said R. Krishnan, vice-principal, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College. “We are not forcing any courses on students, but interest has declined in some subjects. In the next academic year, we may have to consider discontinuing M.Sc Physics due to lack of admissions,” he added.