Changing Trends in S&T Education in the Universities of Punjab

Punjab state for a population of 30 million has the highest density of 30 universities, including 16 universities sanctioned in the private sector. The Malwa belt of Punjab was considered educationally the most backward area till 1970, but now it can boast of five universities in Bathinda district alone. There are more than 100 colleges of engineering and technology in the state. Till 2011, all the seats in engineering colleges were filled up, but the trend has been changing since then. During 2016 admissions, out of 25,000 seats available, only 10,000 seats got filled up during the first counselling, indicating a declining trend for admission in engineering courses in Punjab. I learn similar trends are noticed in other states neighbouring Punjab.