Sat Jul 05 19:07:57 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Headline: Engineering College Admissions Expected to Surge in Tamil Nadu**
**TIRUNELVELI, July 6, 2025 (The Hindu) -** Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Higher Education, Govi. Chezhiaan, announced that engineering colleges across the state are anticipating a significant increase in student admissions this year. Speaking to reporters at a job fair on Saturday, Minister Chezhiaan revealed that over 350,000 students have applied for single-window counselling for engineering programs, a substantial jump from the under 200,000 applications received last year.
The Minister attributed this surge in interest to several factors, including the introduction of new, relevant engineering courses, the state’s Naan Mudhalvan Scheme (aimed at skill development), the 7.5% reservation for government school students, and various financial aid programs. He anticipates a 15% increase in overall engineering admissions compared to previous years.
Minister Chezhiaan also highlighted the state government’s commitment to equipping students with employable skills, noting the recent introduction of seven new engineering programs. A team is currently working to develop and implement additional new courses in arts and science colleges, as well as in engineering institutions, to further enhance students’ career prospects.
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