167 Tamil Nadu engineering colleges fill under 10% seats, 23 have zero admissions
· India · India Today, The Hindu
Tamil Nadu's engineering admission data for 2026 shows a significant disparity in college popularity, with 1,06,583 seats remaining vacant after the second round of counselling. While elite institutions have filled most of their capacity, 167 colleges have filled less than 10% of their available seats, and 23 institutions have recorded zero admissions. Student demand remains heavily concentrated in specific branches like Computer Science Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, and Information Technology. Traditional fields such as mechanical engineering are facing lower interest compared to these technology-focused courses. The state's overall fill rate currently stands at approximately 41% as the counselling process continues into the third round.
Why it matters
The trend highlights a growing divide in the quality and demand for engineering education in Tamil Nadu, potentially threatening the viability of smaller, less-preferred private colleges. This concentration of student interest in specific branches and top-tier institutions creates a challenging landscape for the state's broader technical education sector.
Read the original report — India Today
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