Record pass percentage in Odisha HSC exams, raises concerns over seat shortage in +2 courses

Bhubaneswar: The recently concluded annual high school certificate (HSC) examination in Odisha, conducted by the Board of Secondary Education (BSE), has achieved a remarkable pass percentage of 96.4%.

This historic milestone surpasses the pass rate of the Bhubaneswar region’s Class-X results of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) this year.

The record-breaking pass percentage in the Odisha HSC examination is indeed a cause for celebration. However, it also shines a spotlight on the pressing issue of the seat shortage in +2 courses.

With a total of 5,09,358 + 2 seats available in the state, a staggering 5,12,460 students, including ex-regular students, successfully cleared the matric examination. However, this impressive feat has brought forth a significant concern – the shortage of approximately 18,000 seats for admission into +2 courses.

Each year, around 15,000 students from the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and CBSE boards seek admission to +2 courses under the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Odisha. Considering this influx, it becomes evident that the state is ill-prepared to accommodate the rising number of qualified candidates.

The impact of this seat shortage will be most pronounced in 18 districts across Odisha, which already have a shortage of colleges. Students residing in these districts will be disproportionately affected by the lack of available seats for higher education.

Currently, Odisha boasts a total of 2,067 +2 colleges, offering 2,77,378 seats in Arts, 1,63,304 seats in Science, 45,332 seats in Commerce, 13,332 seats in Sanskrit, and 10,012 seats in vocational education streams. Unfortunately, these numbers fall far short of the demand, leading to an urgent need to address the shortage of seats in order to ensure equal opportunities for all students.