AI, healthcare & law dominate college admissions in Punjab
As admissions open for the new academic session, colleges across Punjab are reporting an encouraging start — thanks in part to fewer students moving abroad for higher studies.
University and college managements note that while clearer trends will emerge by the end of July, early indications show strong student preference for AI-driven and professional courses such as BTech, MCA, BArch, Bachelor in Multimedia and Bachelor in Design. In the medical stream, programmes like pharmacy, paramedical sciences and physiotherapy are also witnessing increased interest. Law remains a consistently popular field, with many colleges having already filled their LLB seats.
Dr Manbir Singh, Managing Director of CT Group of Institutions, attributes the improved admission scenario to mobility challenges faced by students aiming for international education. “While we can’t say there’s been a drastic shift, there’s certainly an uptick. Courses like BTech in AI and cyber security, BA-LLB and BCom-LLB have seen strong demand. Post-Covid, as healthcare budgets expanded and placements improved, programmes such as pharmacy, physiotherapy, paramedical sciences, biotechnology and optometry have become highly sought after,” he said.
He also pointed out that certain traditional choices have lost steam. “Hotel Management courses have seen a sharp decline since students aiming for Western countries can’t go as easily now. Journalism, too, has lost ground to courses like multimedia, web designing, 3D creative designing and video editing, which are in growing demand due to the booming digital job market.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Ashok Mittal, Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, noted a stronger response this year from students not only in Punjab but also from Maharashtra and southern states. “Our pioneering BTech programmes in AI, machine learning, data sciences, blockchain and cyber security continue to perform well. The buzz around a Rs 2.5 crore annual package offered to one of our BTech graduates has created significant interest. BBA and MBA programmes in financial markets, stock markets, digital marketing and business analytics are also gaining traction. Students are actively opting for professional degrees like BArch, LLB, BPharmacy and physiotherapy,” he said.
Professional and vocational programs are also eclipsing traditional degrees in general colleges. Dr Atima Sharma Dwivedi, Principal of Kanya Maha Vidyalaya, noted, “There’s rising interest in courses such as airlines management, nutrition and dietetics and cosmetology. This year, we’ve introduced MBA and MCA in collaboration with Guru Nanak Dev University and the early response is promising. A more defined trend should emerge by late July.”
At Hansraj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya, Principal Dr Ajay Sareen shared similar observations. “All skill-based courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels — especially in fashion designing, banking and finance management — are in high demand. Admissions have just begun and we expect numbers to pick up significantly by the end of July.”
Jalandhar