The higher education department is struggling with low enrollment in basic science courses in Govt. universities

The Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department has been grappling with low enrollment in basic science courses in many government colleges for the past few years.

In the last two years, a total of 20 universities did not admit a single student to any of the basic natural science fields.

With the admission process for the academic year 2026-27, the 181 government arts and science colleges in the state have managed to fill a little less than 65% seats. Of the total sanctioned number of 1,26,959, the colleges admitted 81,734 students till July 8, of which 49,087 are women.

Government Arts and Science Colleges in Udhagamandalam, Valparai, Ariyalu, Orathanadu, Kanniyakumari, Thittakudi, Kumarapalayam, Manalmedu, Ramanathapuram, Nagercoil, Mudhukulathur, Thalavadi, Aravakurichi, Koothanallur but did not receive either for single or Tharapura aura Erothanallur, Tharapura Mathematics, Physics or both subjects. Besides, Sethupathi Government Arts College, Ramanathapuram; Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Namakkal; Rajaduraisingam Government Arts College, Sivaganga; and Thirumagal Mills Government College, Gudiyatham also recorded zero enrolment. Notably, these colleges also eclipsed in basic sciences last academic year. Sources said that zero enrollment was recorded in 17 departments of mathematics and seven departments of physics in these faculties, which means that in some faculties both the departments drew vacant seats. Five of these colleges were established in 2022.

That prompted officials to look at different ways to attract students to colleges. In October last year, the government raised the age limit for admission to undergraduate courses in government arts and science colleges from 21 years to 40 years. So far this year, 609 men, 1,000 women and four transpersons have applied in this age category. “We have seen many married women joining various college courses, which is positive,” the official said.

Low enrollment in basic sciences has been a problem for the past five years or so, but has become acute in the past few years.

Officials also considered “rationalizing” the number of teachers in government institutions. While it was imperative for the government to provide teaching facilities even if one student enrolled in the course, zero enrollment may prompt the ministry to merge courses with those of neighboring colleges and redeploy teachers, the official said. However, they have not yet considered closing the courses, especially since there must be at least three years of zero enrollment for a course to close. “The admission process is still going on. We hope,” the official added.

The department also decided to establish a new B.C. courses in data science, visual communication, microbiology, biochemistry, nutrition and dietetics, catering technology, informatics with data science, artificial intelligence and geomorphology at selected universities with the hope of gradually increasing the number of enrolments.

Published – 9 Jul 2026 20:47 IST