Though the admission process commenced formally only on Monday, many State-run schools had already registered and retained students well in advance. A senior official from the School Education Department told DT Next that many government and aided schools received applications more than the capacity.

More than 5.1 lakh Class 10 government school students were promoted, of whom 90 per cent would opt for Class 11, while the rest would join polytechnic courses, the official said. Due to the decision to pass all SSLC students, government schools would be forced to admit all who opt for higher secondary, he added.

The government girls higher secondary school in Ashok Nagar has decided to admit the 503 existing students to Class 11, which is its capacity. “However, we have received more than 200 new applications till date. But we are not in a position to admit themm,” said its headmistress RC Saraswathi.

S Dhilip, an English teacher at government higher secondary school in Gingee, Villupuram, said the intake of students in his school was about 150. “We have received several new applications, including 10 matriculation school students,” he added.

According to S Dhandapani, Tamil teacher at PAK Palanisamy Higher Secondary School at Old Washermenpet, said the school was expecting 10 per cent more admissions this year. The schools that are unable to admit all the applicants would refer those to State-run institutions nearby, he added.

There are about 4,200 government and aided higher secondary schools in Tamil Nadu.