New Delhi: The number of students from Telangana making a beeline for admission to Delhi University colleges this academic year has observed a staggering 175 per cent rise in last two years. According to figures released by the Delhi University against the first cut-off, around 1,484 students from Telangana have sought admission to popular colleges in the varsity this year, as against a meagre 539 in 2016. After Kerala, the number of Telangana students are the highest among all south Indian states.
Moreover, experts claim that DU affiliated colleges such as Shri Ram College of Commerce, St Stephen's College, Hindu College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Hansraj College, Kirori Mal College and Miranda House are among the most sought-after institutions.
"In the last two years, we have observed a surge in the number of students from Telangana, seeking admission in our college. Majority of them opt for bachelor in commerce (honours). However, in 2016, the highest number of students who sought admission to our college from the southern states were from Telangana. Morever, this year, we have an equal number of students from Kerala," said an official from Shri Ram College of Commerce.
Courses that are most sought-after in these DU colleges are economics, humanities, social science, political science, languages, history, business management and business administration. Total 80 students out of the 94 who applied from Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS) are among those who have secured admission into premier institutions in Delhi University. Last year, only 12 students showed keen interest and got through to these colleges. Many of them had secured 94 per cent in their intermediate exams.
"We observed that many students who seek admission in undergraduate courses simultaneously join civil services coaching centres. Since there is not much of emphasis on competitive exams in Telangana, students flock to Delhi in the hope to secure a government job," said a member of Telangana Students Association, Delhi.