Computer science, ECE still the most preferred subjects after first round of TNEA 2026 counselling

At the conclusion of the first round of counselling for Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2026, computer science and engineering (CSE) and related disciplines remained the most sought-after subjects among students, followed by electronics and communications engineering (ECE). Electrical and electronics engineering (EEE), although trailing behind, experienced a minor increase in the number of seats filled, prompting analysts to take note of the trend.

Jayaprakash Gandhi, a seasoned career consultant, remarked that there is indeed a heightened interest in core engineering subjects such as ECE, EEE, and mechanical engineering. However, the intake for civil and other core subjects remained relatively low. R. Ashwin, an independent career counsellor and analyst, echoed Gandhi's sentiments, stating that among the top 100 students at TNEA counselling this year, 73 preferred CSE and allied courses, 26 opted for ECE, and only one chose mechanical engineering.

More than half of the seats were filled by CSE and allied courses, with over 20% going to ECE, while EEE accounted for close to 5%. Approximately 140 colleges received zero intake after the first round of counselling, with more than 30 of them being autonomous institutions. This could indicate either a lack of awareness among students regarding these institutions or the need to reassess the process of granting autonomous status by authorities.

Region-wise performance, the Coimbatore region outperformed the Chennai region, with factors such as favorable location, reputation, climate, and proximity to industries like textiles, information technology, and accessories manufacturing contributing to its success. Coimbatore institutions are well-connected to students across a wider geographical area in the state, making them an appealing choice for students from regions like Salem, Dharmapuri, and Tirunelveli.

Absenteeism at the first round of counselling rose to 35%, up by three percentage points from the previous year. This could be due to students opting for medicine, other courses, or not receiving their preferred choices. Gandhi and Ashwin both expressed concern over this trend, noting that some students were opting for tier-two colleges instead of highly ranked institutions like NIRF.

Among the top 10 institutions in terms of seats filled in the first round, three private colleges filled approximately 85% of their seats. Students might be gravitating towards private colleges due to better placement opportunities and infrastructure. For the second round of counselling, Gandhi predicts that candidates with cut-off marks between 160-170 will still have a chance to secure admissions in top institutions, a situation that was not feasible last year.

Ashwin advises students who scored below 160 to submit as many choice combinations as possible to increase their chances of receiving a desirable seat.