The launch of the engineering admission process has brought partial relief to thousands of students who had been waiting for months. However, last-minute changes in the admission rules have sparked fresh concerns.
Just three days before the start of admissions, the Department of Technical Education introduced a revised set of regulations. Under the new rules, students will not be able to modify their college preference lists until the third round of seat allocation—making the initial list crucial.
Adding to the stress, students who do not secure a seat in any of the first three rounds will now have to seek admission through the institutional quota, where colleges are allowed to charge up to three times the standard tuition fee. These elevated fees will apply for the entire four-year duration and will not include any concessions for reservation or scholarships.
As per the updated structure:
- In the first round, students must accept the college allotted based on their top preference.
- In the second round, they must choose from one of their top three listed colleges.
- In the third round, the choice is limited to the top six initial preferences.
Failure to secure admission in any of these rounds will leave students with only one option—the high-cost institutional quota.
Previously, students were allowed to revise their preferences before each round, offering greater flexibility. Experts say the removal of this option significantly shifts the advantage toward institutions, potentially compromising student interests.
The timing of the policy shift has also drawn criticism. Announced merely days before the admission window opened, the decision reportedly lacked any consultation with parents or student representatives. Many have described the process as opaque, arguing that if these changes had been declared earlier—immediately after CET results—families would have been better prepared.
Education counselors now urge students to seek expert advice before submitting their preference lists. However, differing opinions from various mentors may only add to the confusion during this high-pressure period.
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