Bhubaneswar: Traditional courses like Odia, political science, zoology, chemistry, history, physics and economics are still sought-after by students compared to new-age subjects, according to data of admission applications into post-graduate (PG) seats in various state universities and colleges.

There are 126 higher educational institutions (HEIs) offering PG courses, of which 15 are universities while the rest are colleges. Among 97 PG subjects, Odia has received the maximum applications. As many as 45,279 students applied for 1,672 seats in MA in Odia offered by 59 institutes.

MA in political science follows Odia in popularity. Altogether 38,820 students applied for 1,376 seats of MA in political science in 52 colleges.

Similarly, students continue to choose traditional science courses like zoology, botany, chemistry and physics over new subjects like life sciences, dietetics, applied chemistry and industrial microbiology.

For 879 seats in MSc (Zoology), there were 32,977 applications and for masters in botany being offered by 33 institutes, 28,859 candidates applied for 791 seats. On the other hand, a newly introduced subject like MCom in entrepreneurship with 48 seats had no takers this year. Similarly, MSc (Biochemistry), which was introduced in 2 institutes with 56 seats, received 77 applications, but 25 seats remained vacant.

“If we go by the applications and admission trend, most of the courses introduced through self-financing mode have had less applicants or had vacant seats. Although skill-based courses are being opened every session in self-financing mode, students continue to opt for conventional subjects because they help in preparing for competitive exams and provide a stronger academic base which is helpful in the job market,” said R N Panda, a retired professor.

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