LAHORE: More than 160,000 online applications have been submitted for intermediate admissions to around 800 public colleges across Punjab through the Online College Admissions System (OCAS), highlighting the growing use of digital platforms in the province’s education sector.
The Online College Admissions System was developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the Punjab Higher Education Department. The system allows students to apply to selected government colleges from their homes, reducing the need for repeated visits to college offices and lengthy manual admission procedures.
According to the latest data, more than 109,000 applicants are female, making up approximately 68% of the total applications. Male students have submitted 51,632 applications, accounting for around 32% of the total. The figures show particularly strong participation by female students in online college admissions.
FA and ICS Among Most Popular Programmes
Programme-wise figures show that FA and ICS are currently the most popular intermediate programmes among students.
FA has received 57,096 applications, while ICS has received 54,018 applications. Together, these two programmes account for approximately 69% of all applications submitted through OCAS.
FSc Pre-Medical is the third most popular option, receiving 28,780 applications. Female participation is particularly high in this programme, with women accounting for approximately 81% of applicants. Female students also represent around 74% of FA applicants and 61% of ICS applicants.
Other programmes have recorded varying levels of interest. FA-IT has received 7,337 applications, with female students making up around 65% of applicants. Male participation is comparatively higher in programmes such as DIT and D.Com.
Meanwhile, specialised programmes including Home Economics, Medical Laboratory Technology, Dental Hygiene Technology and Physiotherapy Technology have received comparatively fewer applications.
Digital Admissions Make Process Easier
PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf said OCAS has provided students with a convenient and transparent alternative to the traditional manual admission process.
The digital system allows students to avoid long queues and unnecessary visits to college offices. It also provides the government with real-time information about students’ educational preferences and admission trends.
According to the PITB chairman, such data can support evidence-based policymaking and help the government plan future education and economic policies according to changing student preferences and workforce needs.
The system has also been integrated with PayZen, allowing applicants to pay admission fees through several channels, including mobile banking, ATMs, debit and credit cards, TCS offices and branchless banking services.
The continued rise in online applications reflects the growing role of digital services in making the public-sector college admission process more accessible, efficient and convenient for students across Punjab.
