OCAS Receives Over 160,000 Applications for Intermediate Admissions – UrduPoint
Pakistan Today
OCAS receives over 160,000 applications for intermediate admissions in Punjab
Published September 08, 2026 | 06:30 PM
LAHORE, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 8th Sep, 2026) More than 160,000 online applications have been received for intermediate admissions in 800 public colleges across Punjab through the Online College Admissions System (OCAS), reflecting a growing adoption of digital platforms for education access throughout the province.
Developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) in collaboration with the Punjab Higher Education Department (PHED), OCAS allows students to apply online for admission to selected public colleges from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for repeated college visits and lengthy manual procedures.
According to the latest data available on the portal, over 160,000 applications have been submitted for intermediate admissions across Punjab. It is notable that approximately 68% of total applicants are females, while males account for around 32%. This translates to roughly two out of every three applicants using OCAS being female students, highlighting a growing demand among young women for higher secondary education and their strong adoption of digital admission facilities.
Program-wise data reveals that:
- FA (Humanities/Arts) is the most popular intermediate program with 57,096 applications.
- ICS (General Science) comes in second with 54,018 applications. Together, these two programs account for approximately 69% of all applications received.
- FSc (Pre-Medical) ranks third with 28,780 applications. Female participation is particularly strong in the top programs; they constitute:
- 81% of applicants to Pre-Medical
- 74% of FA applicants
- 61% of ICS applicants
The data also highlights variations in gender representation across technical and commercial programs. FA-IT received 7,337 applications, with females accounting for approximately 65% of applicants. Programs like DIT and D.Com have a higher male participation rate. Comparatively lower application volumes were observed in specialized fields like:
- Home Economics
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Dental Hygiene Technology
- Physiotherapy Technology
Regarding OCAS, PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf stated:
"OCAS has provided students with a convenient and transparent alternative to the traditional manual admission process. It allows them to submit applications digitally, avoiding long queues and unnecessary visits to college offices."
He added that the system not only streamlines the admissions process but also generates valuable, real-time data on education trends in Punjab.
