Computer Science Engineering has emerged as the stream of choice for most of the toppers at the Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2025.

While most of them preferred to study at Anna University in Chennai, a few are in a dilemma over choice of institution or stream.

Mythili P., a student of Government Higher Secondary School, Anakaputhur, Chennai, secured second rank in the TNEA merit list for government school students (7.5 per cent reservation). She told The Hindu her obvious choice was Computer Science as she had developed deep interest in software development, coding and programming language. Having lost her father to an accident a decade ago, Mythili was brought up by her mother, who runs a roadside tender coconut stall. She wishes to study well and land a good job after completing her degree.

S. Pachaiyammal’s story isn’t much different. Her father developed neurological complications soon after her birth and lost his ability to work. He also suffered partial speech impairment. Her mother, a tailor, has been bringing her up along with her siblings. “Earlier, my father was a milk vendor in our village. After he developed the disorder, he can barely move around within the house,” Pachaiyammal said.

A student of Government Model School in Thiruvannamalai, she secured fifth rank in the TNEA merit list for government school students. However, she now faces a dilemma: she received a call from Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) offering her full scholarship to study the subject of her choice. She is now torn between VIT and Anna University. Like Mythili, Pachaiyammal too wants to pursue Computer Science Engineering since the branch offers good placement opportunities. “I will have to work for a few years before I can decide to pursue higher studies,” she adds. Pachaiyammal has pursued sports, too, winning medals at zonal and district levels in Kho Kho and having represented her district in state-level competitions.

Dharani V, a student of Government Higher Secondary School, Kandamangalam, Cuddalore, who topped the merit list for government school students (7.5 per cent reservation), too, excelled in sports winning laurels in zonal level competitions in triple jump, relay and 200 metres sprint. She, however, is torn between Veterinary Sciences and Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. Her father is a mason.

Vetrivel S, a classmate of Pachaiyammal, secured fourth rank in the merit list. His wish to pursue Computer Science Engineering at Anna University has been largely influenced by his mathematics teacher. “Sir said I could either land a good job or write GATE to get into IIT for masters. We will decide later,” he added. His father is a construction worker while his mother grew crops on a one-acre farm.

Similarly, Karthika S. of Kongunadu Matric Higher Secondary School, Namakkal, and Amalan Anto M. of Gokilambal Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ariyalur, who secured second and third ranks in the TNEA general category merit list, said that they would like to pursue Computer Science Engineering at Anna University. Only Sagasra J. of MLM Mamallan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Kanchipuram, who topped the general merit list, said she would like to pursue Electronics and Communication Engineering at College of Engineering, Guindy.