Girls show least interest in health sciences, finds test

PUNE: Contrary to conventional belief that girls prefer health sciences, while boys are drawn to technical fields, this year’s interest-cum-aptitude test of Standard X state board students has thrown up an interesting trend.


In terms of first and second preferences, health sciences is the least preferred field for girls, while preference for technical field is lowest among boys.

Sandeep Meshram, corporate relationship officer at College of Engineering Pune, however, said that while Class X students have showed their inclination or disinclination for particular subjects, the situation is different in reality.

“If technical courses were so low on priority, then we would not be getting any student. Yet, almost all colleges are flourishing. Secondly, while the number of girl students in engineering is definitely increasing and is a welcome trend, it is not that boys are no longer interested in engineering. But it is true that more students with good marks are going for unconventional courses.”

The division-wise results declared by Maharashtra state board of secondary and higher secondary education, Maharashtra Academic Authority, and Shyamchi Aai foundation showed that within the state, Kolhapur , Pune, Aurangabad and Latur divisions preferred uniformed services as their first choice. Nagpur Mumbai and Konkan showed highest preference for fine arts, while Amaravati and Nashik favoured commerce as their most preferred choice.

“New movies on armed forces are a big influence on youngsters. Posts shared on social media on the uniformed forces also influence students. Western Maharashtra, especially Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Konkan, have a tradition of joining the armed forces. The rich Maratha tradition Kolhapur and Ratnagiri influence students,” said Vijay Khare, professor (defence & strategic studies) and director, Yashwantrao Chavan National Centre of International Security and Defence Analysis.