CHENNAI: The number of seats at government arts and science colleges would be increased by 20 per cent this year, too, Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan announced on Monday.

Several thousand students were waiting to get admission into arts and science colleges run by the government. "Hence, following the instruction given by Chief Minister Stalin, it has been decided to increase the intake capacity in these colleges for the benefit of the students," the Minister said.

According to him, the intake in all government colleges would be raised by 20 per cent, while the increase in admission would be 15 per cent in government-aided colleges and 10 per cent in self-financing arts and science colleges.

According to the guidelines, the additional 20 per cent intake would be applicable only for this academic year; the State government would review the decision year-on-year. A senior official said the students could get spot admissions in all the colleges according to their merit list.

All colleges were also instructed to get prior permission from the respective universities they are affiliated with before admitting additional students.

The minister appealed to the students to utilise the opportunity to get admission for various courses in arts and science colleges. Chezhiaan also claimed that Tamil Nadu was the leading state in the country in gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education.