Bhubaneswar, July 24: Plus Three colleges across the state have been left with around with 70,000 vacant seats at 834 degree colleges in the state after the third round of admission.

Despite extending the admission dates at the degree colleges, the vacant seat scenario showed little difference.

Out of 2.17 lakh seats, admissions have been conducted for 1.4 lakh seats with 71,196 seats lying vacant in all the five streams of arts, commerce, physical science, biological science and self-financing courses.

The highest number of vacant seats is in the arts stream with around 39,750 seats, followed by around 13,000 seats in commerce, around 12,000 in physical science and 6,500 in biological science.

A number of vacancies have been reported from the private or self-financing colleges. There are 142 self-financing degree colleges in the state.

"If the state government allows, another round of spot admission will be conducted to fill up the seats," said Mihir Das, head of online admissions, higher education department.

He said admissions due to students being bumped up are continuing in various colleges and the vacancy figure would fall by Saturday.

The number of vacant seats in the junior colleges has increased as compared to last year when the total number of vacant seats was around 34,000.

Educators said students must have applied for multiple institutes, technical colleges and other professional courses simultaneously. "They must have decided to opt for technical education and other professional courses over general studies," said academic Gayatri Kar.

Plus Three classes began across the state today. Colleges wore a fresh look and teemed with freshers in their bright, new uniforms. While some of them were busy looking for their classrooms, others were seen huddling around the college notice boards to find their sections and class timetables.

"I have had butterflies in my stomach since morning. But, thankfully, everything turned out to be fine," said Ananya Jena, a newcomer at BJB (Junior) College.

Aspirants in the college union elections put their best foot forward to win over the freshers.

At some colleges, the aspirants have put up banners displaying their names and photographs near the college campuses. Following guidelines of the Lyngdoh Commission, the banners were not allowed on the premises.

"It is the responsibility of us seniors to guide the juniors. I made sure to meet them personally and introduce myself," said Madhusmita Barik, a poll candidate.