Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Freezes New Affiliations for Sixth Year to Ensure Quality

Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore has continued its policy of not affiliating new private agricultural colleges for the sixth consecutive year, a decision based on demand and quality considerations, according to university sources.

The state government's decision to freeze affiliations, factoring in the current demand for agricultural education, remains in effect. TNAU currently has 28 affiliated private agricultural and horticultural colleges offering B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture. Additionally, the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT) in Thanjavur, seven diploma institutes in agriculture, and one diploma institute in horticulture are affiliated with TNAU.

Of the 28 affiliated colleges, 26 offer B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture and two offer B.Sc. (Hons.) Horticulture. The affiliation process involves scrutiny by TNAU's Board of Management, which then forwards proposals to the government for a No Objection Certificate. Once approved, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed, renewed every four years.

To ensure quality education, a standing committee nominated by TNAU visits all affiliated private colleges and diploma institutes annually to verify facilities and report. Meanwhile, TNAU has commenced admission for 2,516 seats in its 18 constituent colleges and 4,736 seats in its 28 affiliated colleges. In private colleges, about 75% of seats (3,051) are under government quota and filled through single-window counselling, while the remaining 1,685 seats (35%) are under management quota.