Chennai: To attract toppers, govt colleges in Chennai have sought approval of govt to start trending courses such as data science, artificial intelligence, defence studies and business management courses at the undergraduate level.
Most of the city colleges have filled more than 90% of their intake for the 2026-27 academic year. However, colleges said courses in history, economics and maths could not attract students as emerging technologies, both in the arts and science stream, have more takers now. Govt Arts College in Nandanam has filled more than 90% of seats of its 1,430 sanctioned strength for the 2026-27 academic year.
“We attracted more top-ranking students after the college became co-ed last year. We wanted to offer courses such as data science, AI and defence studies to attract top rankers,” a professor involved in admissions in the college said. The college has submitted a proposal to govt on new courses.
As of now, only two govt colleges, including Dr Ambedkar Arts College at Vyasarpadi, are offering a defence studies course which is popular across the state.
Presidency College, which has attracted more than 45,000 applications against a sanctioned intake of 2,380, also plans to start new courses such as BBA, defence studies and communication courses for the next academic year. “The state govt should start courses such as BA in defence studies with new faculty members in more colleges. There is a demand for courses such as sociology, public administration and microbiology as well,” said S Suresh, general secretary, TN Govt Collegiate Teachers’ Association.
