PU struggles to fill UG seats, applications plunge to 8,000

Patna: If the number of applications received for admission to the undergraduate courses is any indication, the Patna University (PU) colleges have very little charm for the boys and girls passing class XII examination from different boards. The premier colleges of the state, attached to the seventh oldest university of this subcontinent, no longer attract the scholars for higher studies. Figures available with the official sources reveal that the university, which used to attract a large number of admission seekers from across the state and also from some neighbouring states until a decade ago, are finding it difficult to fill up even their sanctioned seats.PU sources told this newspaper that in 2019, the university received as many as 48,000 applications for admission to its UG courses. The numbers declined to 30,000 in 2020. In the following years—2021 and 2022—the numbers further declined to a little more than 21,000. But, the number of applications received for UG admissions further slumped to only about 10,000 in 2023 and 12,000 in 2024.Welfare dean of students, Anil Kumar, said that a centralised entrance test for admission to all the undergraduate courses in PU colleges was introduced in 2012 at the instance of then vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh. But this practice was dropped after the implementation of National Education Policy, 2020 in the university and it started admitting students on marks secured in class XII examination, he said.In the current session (2025-26), PU received only about 8,000 applications till the last date of the receipt of online applications (May 23) for admission to the four-year degree programme in arts, science and commerce streams under conventional courses and three-year degree programme in vocational courses. The university had invited online applications for admission to both the conventional and vocational academic programmes running in Patna College, Patna Science College, B N College, Vanijya Mahavidyalay, and Magadh Mahila College.Considering the poor response of boys and girls for admission in PU colleges and also due to somewhat delayed publication of CBSE class XII results, the university authorities have extended the last date of online submission of applications till May 31. But, it is unlikely to make much difference to the students' growing indifference to the higher education institutions under PU, said a retired teacher. Last year, more than 1,000 out of the total of 4,500 sanctioned seats in UG classes remained vacant as students were least interested in studying in these institutions. Recurring violence leading to the death of students on the campus have only been serving as a deterrent for the admission seekers. "How can I send my ward to study in PU where students are being murdered in daylight and the hostels are allowed to be occupied by anti-social elements," quipped a guardian. Patna: If the number of applications received for admission to the undergraduate courses is any indication, the Patna University (PU) colleges have very little charm for the boys and girls passing class XII examination from different boards. The premier colleges of the state, attached to the seventh oldest university of this subcontinent, no longer attract the scholars for higher studies. Figures available with the official sources reveal that the university, which used to attract a large number of admission seekers from across the state and also from some neighbouring states until a decade ago, are finding it difficult to fill up even their sanctioned seats.PU sources told this newspaper that in 2019, the university received as many as 48,000 applications for admission to its UG courses. The numbers declined to 30,000 in 2020. In the following years—2021 and 2022—the numbers further declined to a little more than 21,000. But, the number of applications received for UG admissions further slumped to only about 10,000 in 2023 and 12,000 in 2024.Welfare dean of students, Anil Kumar, said that a centralised entrance test for admission to all the undergraduate courses in PU colleges was introduced in 2012 at the instance of then vice-chancellor Shambhu Nath Singh. But this practice was dropped after the implementation of National Education Policy, 2020 in the university and it started admitting students on marks secured in class XII examination, he said.In the current session (2025-26), PU received only about 8,000 applications till the last date of the receipt of online applications (May 23) for admission to the four-year degree programme in arts, science and commerce streams under conventional courses and three-year degree programme in vocational courses. The university had invited online applications for admission to both the conventional and vocational academic programmes running in Patna College, Patna Science College, B N College, Vanijya Mahavidyalay, and Magadh Mahila College.Considering the poor response of boys and girls for admission in PU colleges and also due to somewhat delayed publication of CBSE class XII results, the university authorities have extended the last date of online submission of applications till May 31. But, it is unlikely to make much difference to the students' growing indifference to the higher education institutions under PU, said a retired teacher. Last year, more than 1,000 out of the total of 4,500 sanctioned seats in UG classes remained vacant as students were least interested in studying in these institutions. Recurring violence leading to the death of students on the campus have only been serving as a deterrent for the admission seekers. "How can I send my ward to study in PU where students are being murdered in daylight and the hostels are allowed to be occupied by anti-social elements," quipped a guardian.