Polytechnic colleges in and around Tiruchi district are facing a decline in student admissions this year, pushing many of these institutions on the brink of full or partial closure, academicians have said.“We have admitted 210 students for courses such as Mechanical Engineering and Computer Engineering in the first year. Students are in the habit of dropping out of polytechnic colleges a few weeks after admission because of peer pressure, as also joining after all the other options are exhausted. This is why we have kept our admissions open for the whole of July, though classes began last month,” V. G. Ravindhran, principal, Seshasayee Institute of Technology, a government-aided polytechnic in Ariyamangalam, told The Hindu.Mr. Ravindhran added that the situation had become precarious because though the market demand for technical graduates had grown in recent years, polytechnic colleges were unable to sustain the enrolment to match up.“Heavy engineering companies are in need of entry-level technical graduates in good numbers, with salary packages starting at ₹20,000. However we are not able to supply enough students accordingly,” he added.At least two private polytechnic colleges, one in Thanjavur and the other in Tiruchi, have closed down this year due to low admission numbers.“Unlike before, Class X students are automatically absorbed into the senior schools and being prepared for college-level studies. As a result many students, especially those from the rural catchment areas are reluctant to approach us. We have not had any new admissions this year, and will perhaps have to close down the institution once the final batches graduate within the next two years,” said the principal of a private polytechnic college in Manapparai requesting anonymity.Academicians also pointed out to the shortage of staff in these institutions. “There is no teaching faculty available for subjects such as Chemical Engineering, and it is a big challenge to get qualified laboratory assistants. We hope the authorities will take steps to resolve the problems,” said Mr. Ravindhran. Published - July 07, 2026 07:32 pm IST