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The Department of Education under the Lakshadweep Administration have officially started the Reserved Category Counseling process on July 20, 2026. This step is taken for students who is looking for admission into various Higher Secondary and Undergraduate degree courses. Candidates who qualified in the provisional rank lists is now submitting their willingness forms across designated island counseling centers. The seat allotment includes major quota seats in premier institutions like Pondicherry University affiliated island centers and Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). Students from all the ten inhabited islands is tracking the e-counseling portal to secure their higher education seats for this academic year.
What the Current Seat Allotment Covers :
The ongoing counseling process covers multiple levels of education for local island students. It includes seats for post-Plus Two courses, technical diploma tracks, and undergraduate degree programs. Under the reserved quota, engineering seats offered by CUSAT and Pondicherry University is being allotted based on the national JEE rank lists and local merit norms. Apart from this, general degree seats in arts, science, and commerce streams are also being processed. Officials mentioned that students must submit their physical copies and documents at local school registration centers to finalize their choice of preferences.
Background of College Restructuring Controversy :
This seat allotment drive comes right after a huge controversy that happened in the island's higher education sector. Just days before the main admission portal opened, the Directorate of Education issued an order stopping several popular degree courses. Major courses like Political Science at Government Arts and Science College in Andrott was discontinued. Similarly, BA English and vocational programs like B.Voc Software Development and B.Voc Tourism at Kadmat college was also removed. This sudden decision created massive panic among students who had prepared for these exact subjects for months.
Student Concerns and Mainland Education Issues :
Local student bodies and parents has raised serious concerns regarding the loss of these degree options. They pointed out that many island students, especially young women, cannot afford to move to mainland cities like Kochi or Puducherry for basic studies. While the administration claims that low-demand courses is being replaced with better options like BBA Tourism, student representatives argue that local colleges should expand seats rather than cutting existing ones. The reduction in local degree options have forced many students to depend completely on reserved mainland seats, which carries very high living costs.
Next Steps for Students in Counseling :
As the reserved counseling continues, the Education Department have advised candidates to regularly check the official e-counseling website for daily updates. Students who does not get seats in this phase will have to wait for upcoming general allotment rounds or spot admissions. Department officials has reassured that separate notifications will be issued if any additional seats or new degree courses gets approved by Pondicherry University. For now, local students are carefully picking available subjects to make sure their one academic year does not get wasted.
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