New B.Tech Seats Expansion: 20,500 Seats Added, Demand Surge for B.Tech CSE and IT Branches
In response to the increasing demand for B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering (CSE) and Information Technology (IT) branches, the state is set to increase the number of seats by an impressive 20,500. These additional seats will be available exclusively in colleges under the jurisdiction of JNTUH. This expansion is anticipated to meet the growing interest in these popular branches.
Approval and Pending Processes
Despite the government’s intention to promote core branches, there has been a noticeable lack of student interest in these areas. While initially estimating an addition of around 10,000 new seats, the final approval from AICTE has nearly doubled this number. As a result, the state is preparing to commence the EAMCET counseling from July 4th, with web options available starting from July 8th. Colleges need to complete the affiliation process by July 6th, a task currently overseen by Rector Prof. Vijayakumar Reddy and his team, under the direction of the Chief Secretary of Education, Burra Venkatesh. This process is expected to conclude within a day or two.
Government’s Strategic Thinking
Granting a significant number of seats for CSE, IT, AI & ML, and Data Science branches will obligate the government to bear the corresponding teaching fees. College managements have proposed allowing these additional seats under a non-reimbursement scheme to mitigate the financial burden on the government. They suggest that financially capable students would opt for these seats. However, the Chief Secretary of Education has emphasized the need to promote core branches like Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering to ensure a balanced workforce. The government’s final decision on this matter remains to be seen.
Low Enrollment in Core Branches
Despite universities offering the flexibility for students in core branches to take subjects from other branches and potentially transition to software roles, student interest remains low. In recent years, less than half of the convener quota seats in core branches have been filled. Last year, out of 12,751 available seats in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical branches, only 5,838 seats (45.78%) were occupied. Enrollment under management quota was even lower, with total occupancy not exceeding 40%.
Challenges in Core Branch Enrollment
Institutions in regions like Sircilla, Wanaparthy, Mahabubabad, and Paleru under JNTUH have seen minimal enrollment in core branches. Students and their parents perceive limited job opportunities and lower salaries in these fields compared to software roles. Universities like JNTUH and OU have faced criticism for not actively promoting the benefits and career opportunities in core branches. They have not taken sufficient initiatives to change the perception that core branches offer less lucrative job prospects, despite the potential for good salary packages.
In conclusion, while the state is increasing seats in high-demand branches like CSE and IT to meet student interest, there is an ongoing struggle to attract students to core engineering branches. The government’s decision on how to balance this demand with the need to support core branches will significantly impact the future landscape of technical education in the state.
