The Tamil Nadu government has permitted an increase in the intake of students into government, aided, and private Arts and Science colleges in the State.

A Government Order (G.O.) issued on Thursday stated that in the academic year 2026-27, government Arts and Science colleges will be allowed to admit 20 per cent more students to courses that are on high demand. For Science subjects, the increased intake would be subject to good laboratory facilities at the respective institutions.

Similarly, government-aided colleges may admit 15 per cent additional students to Arts and Science courses that are on high demand and, in case of Science subjects, have proper laboratory facilities. Self-sustaining courses run by the aided colleges will, however, be allowed an additional intake of 10 per cent.

For self-financing Arts and Science colleges, the additional intake permitted was 10 per cent.

The increase will be based on the original intake approved by the university to which the institutions are affiliated, the G.O. clarified. The institutions should also seek approval of the universities concerned before admitting additional students. However, the institutions were barred from seeking sanction for additional posts in view of the increased intake of students.

The G.O. stated in the academic year 2025-26 too, the government had accorded a similar permission for additional student intake in government, aided, and self-financing Arts and Science colleges.

Police personnel have begun regular foot patrol in their respective jurisdictions to ensure the maintenance of law and order, to prevent crimes proactively, intensify enforcement against narcotic drugs, and enhance the safety of women and children.

According to a press release, DGP Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal has issued a series of instructions aimed at ensuring a high degree of consistency in field-level policing and enforcement across the State.

These measures are intended to improve public confidence, strengthen community engagement, and ensure a more effective police presence in all urban and rural areas of the State. 

As part of these initiatives, the DGP/HoPF directed policemen, along with police officers from the rank of Station House Officer (SHO) to Superintendents of Police, to undertake regular foot patrols in their respective jurisdictions.

The objective of the foot patrol is to facilitate direct interaction with the members of the public, understand the local issues and grievances, assess the prevailing situation on the ground, identify vulnerable locations, and keep a close watch on troublemakers.  

In pursuance of these instructions, extensive foot patrols were carried out across the State on June 3 and June 4. These enabled senior police officers to personally assess the ground situation in sensitive and important areas, interact directly with local residents, receive feedback from the public, understand their concerns, and take immediate corrective measures wherever required. The initiative also helped officers study the local conditions, identify potential law and order issues, and strengthen preventive policing measures. 

The foot patrols have received a positive response and wide appreciation from the public. The visible presence of senior police officers on the streets has significantly contributed to enhancing public confidence and reassuring citizens about the commitment of the Tamil Nadu Police towards public safety and security, the release said

The DGP has directed that such foot patrols continue on a regular basis across the State to further strengthen the visible policing, improve public outreach, and ensure a safe and secure environment, the release added.