Punjabi varsity sees spike in admissions amid stricter Canada visa rules

Punjabi University, Patiala, and its affiliated colleges have reported a significant surge in student admissions this year, largely attributed to the stricter study visa regulations imposed by Canada. The university, the largest in Punjab, has witnessed a dramatic increase, with more than 60,000 students now enrolled across its campuses and affiliated institutions in the Malwa region. The university’s controller of examination, Neeraj Sharma, said 2,43,603 students got enrolled this year, compared to 2,13,204 students enrolled in 2023.

Sources say the majority of new admissions were in undergraduate programs, with a strong preference for humanities and commerce streams. University officials said the spike in enrolments was tied to Canada’s tightened immigration policies, prompting students to maintain academic continuity in India while awaiting opportunities abroad.

“We are encouraged by the increased interest in our programs, but we suspect this is a temporary phase. Many students seem to have taken admission to avoid academic gaps and may leave once Canada eases its visa regulations,” said a university professor.