More intake for UG courses a repeat of last year

Calicut University Syndicate passes resolution to that effect

The decision of the University of Calicut to increase the number of seats for undergraduate (UG) courses in government, aided and unaided colleges for this academic year could be a repeat of what happened last year. Sources, however, said it might come into effect only after the second allotment. The Syndicate passed a resolution to increase the number of seats at its meeting on Friday. An official told The Hindu on Saturday that last year, the Higher Education Department had allowed a rise in intake in arts and science colleges across the State. It was highlighted as an attempt to help students who normally flock to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for higher studies, but could not do it because of the pandemic. “This time too, it could be portrayed as an achievement of the government rather than an academic exercise. So, the university may wait till an official declaration comes from the Higher Education Minister,” the official pointed out. Normally, seats are hiked in colleges every academic year by a method called ‘marginal increase’, wherein applications are invited from those who are interested in it. Aided and unaided colleges used to benefit from the exercise, and those in the government sector were left out owing to bureaucratic reasons. Since last year, however, there has been no such practice, as the increased seats are given to all colleges before the allotment.