Cuttack, July 22: Orissa High Court today directed the state’s directorate of technical education and training, Odisha, to conduct second Diploma Entrance Test – 2013 for admission to engineering courses.

The court issued the direction after the Odisha Private Engineering School Association had sought intervention to fill up the large number of seats that remained vacant after counselling on the basis of results of the Diploma Entrance Test – 2013 held on May 5.

“While directing for the second diploma entrance test, the single-judge bench of Justice B.N. Mohapatra asked the directorate to invite applications by issuing fresh notifications and schedule for the second entrance test and complete the examination, counselling and admission process before August 15,” association counsel Buddhadev Routray told The Telegraph.

The court said all efforts should be made to fill up the vacant seats. Nearly 60 per cent of the 60,000 odd seats in around 119 engineering schools, polytechnics and ITIs were lying vacant.