Interest in engineering courses hits rock bottom in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: Students in Gujarat seem to be losing interest in engineering as a career choice at an alarming pace. Against 71,000-odd students who applied for admission in engineering degree courses in 2015, the number has dwindled to 18,000 students so far. With five more days to go for the last date of May 22 for applying for admissions, experts say their worst fears are set to come true with the numbers not expected to cross 25,000 students.
Analysis of data of students who applied for engineering courses in Gujarat over the past decade revealed a 56% decline in applicants since 2015. On an average, the state has recorded a 9% annual decline in applicants.
Even if the number of applicants reaches 25,000, which is the best we expect this year, it would be dismal and alarming," said a senior official of the technical education department.
This is a direct fallout of student interest shifting from A group (physics, chemistry, maths) to B group (physics, chemistry, biology). A decade ago in 2013, 70,000 students had passed XII (science) A group against 35,000 B group students. In 2023, this number got reversed with 69,000-odd B group students clearing exams against 40,000 A group groups.
Officials engaged in engineering admissions say the disinterest threatens to spell doom for engineering colleges which are reeling under 64% of the 69,000-plus seats that went vacant in 2022.
Despite 3,000 more students clearing A group compared to last year, the managements fear more seats will remain vacant.
"College management stare at a grim scenario as the situation is expected to only get worse this year. There is a clear mismatch between demand and supply with many more engineering students passing out than those who are offered decent jobs," said Janak Khandwala, president of Gujarat Self-Finance College Management Association.
Director-General of Nirma University Anoop Singh Mishra said that engineering does not lure many as a career choice due to poor job scenarios. "More students have shifted their focus from A group (Maths) to B group (Biology) as many students do not get decent paying jobs despite paying hefty fees. Focus needs to shift from quantity to quality in engineering education as only good education guarantees well-paying jobs," said Mishra.
Former vice chancellor of Gujarat Technological University (GTU) Navin Sheth said that India and Gujarat are witnessing a reverse global trend. "World-wide, more students are opting for engineering courses while locally students are gravitating towards medical courses. Majority students want to go for computer and IT courses only while other engineering faculties reel under vacant seats," said Sheth.