DTE sends 25,000 SMSes to fill 250 seats in government engineering colleges

In another attempt to attract candidates to fill nearly 250 vacant seats in govt engineering colleges, the directorate of technical education (DTE) not only organised an additional round of admission, but also sent out SMSes to nearly 25,000 candidates on Wednesday night.

This is the first time DTE has used the short text messaging service to inform candidates. Until now, all the necessary information was put up on its website as late as midnight, with many candidates complaining that they missed the same.

"An SMS was sent out to all candidates who ranked up to 25,000 in the state merit list. This is just to ensure that they can apply online for the additional round," said a DTE official. The application window was activated on Thursday afternoon and will remain open till today at 5pm. The seat allocation will be announced tomorrow, Aug 9.

For the first time, top rung govt and govt-aided colleges are also staring at vacant classrooms. While private colleges – which have much larger vacancy – have been permitted to fill seats at the institute level, the state decided to conduct an additional online round for its own colleges. This round will also offer betterment to those who have already sought admission in first, second or counselling rounds.