Data revealed by the state technical board says only 20,757 students have applied for Management courses.
Last year 42,490 students applied out of which 32,825 of these students admitted in the colleges of the state. This seems to be worse this year, around 46,000 MBA/MMS seats are likely to go vacant.
From this year, the state board is considering CMAT entrance score for management courses admissions.
A directorate of technical education official said applicants this year also include those who have taken other management entrance tests, such as the JMET, XAT, MAT, ATMA and CAT for IIMs.
A Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) official said applicants this year also include those who have taken other management entrance tests, such as the JMET, XAT, MAT, ATMA and CAT for IIMs. But despite that the number of applications have not risen this year.
AICTE chairman SS Mantha said, ""The investment in these courses, in terms of fees, is higher, whereas, the placement offers are not promising."
Dayanand Meshram, joint director of the directorate of technical education, said students might be pursuing the tailor-made PGDM courses that are more industry oriented.
"Their syllabus is updated from time to time and admissions are conducted at institute level." Last year, about 12,000 students enrolled for PGDM courses in the state.
Apoorva Palkar, president, Consortium of Management Education said "Corporates do require MBAs. But the vacant seats every year are sending a wrong signal to students, dissuading them from pursuing the course."