Bangalore: The first list of selected candidates for pre-university (PU) courses across the city was released on Saturday.

The list includes only SSLC students as the other school boards (ICSE and CBSE) are yet to declare results. Students swarmed around notice boards of various institutions to take a look at the list that would decide their future. Amidst the hullabaloo were both elated and crestfallen expressions.

Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Electronics (PCME) course emerged to be the most popular choice amongst students aspiring for a career in science, while Commerce, Accountancy, Maths and Statistics (CAMS) was the preferred combination amongst those wanting to take up commerce.

Harshita S., who wishes to get admission in Mount Carmel College, said, "Electronics has always been my first choice. The same applies to my friends."

The cut-off percentage for general merit students in that college ranged between 93.6 per cent for the Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology (PCMB) course and 68.3 per cent for History, Economics, Psychology and Sociology (HEPyS) combination. Categories such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes had relatively lower cut-off percentages.

Most other colleges followed suit with minor variations in the cut-off percentage.

Preethi N., who was dejected after not finding her name in the first list at Mount Carmel College, said, "I have other choices now. I am hoping for the best. The chances of getting a preferred seat in reputed colleges are pretty dim for students who do not have outstanding results."

Puneeth Krishnan, who made it to St. Joseph's College, said, "Despite the disappointment of several students who could not secure a seat in the top colleges of Bangalore, I feel the system is transparent and fair."

Ramanujam K., parent of a PU candidate, endorses the view. "There is no substitute to hard work. It certainly pays in the long run."

The ICSE and CBSE students will have to wait a bit longer as their tenth standard results are yet to be declared.

A faculty from Christ Junior College said that students from these boards would be allotted seats based on government norms and the availability.

Several colleges in the city have seats earmarked for students excelling in sports. Ayman Hussain from United Mission High School hopes to secure a seat in Christ College owing to his sporting achievements.

"I am a national-level under-17 basketball player. I am waiting for the college authorities to decide," he pointed out.

The second and final list of candidates will be announced in the coming weeks. With the fate of students hanging in the balance, one hopes to perhaps see more smiling faces around the notice boards of colleges the next time around.

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