Colleges in Bengaluru have begun undergraduate admissions way ahead of the usual schedule in 2025. Some institutions, like Christ (Deemed-to-be University), started accepting applications in late October instead of December or January. This early start is driven by competition as many colleges open their admission windows sooner to attract more applicants. A senior official from Christ said, “The college advanced its timeline after noticing that others had already opened admissions.” The official added, “Every year, colleges in Bengaluru start early, so we decided to follow the general trend.” Mount Carmel College (MCC) also moved admissions ahead to handle a sharp rise in applicants, especially from outside the city. “Starting the process sooner gives students more time to understand the programmes and make informed choices,” said a college representative. MCC, which recently began admitting boys, hopes for a more balanced gender ratio in courses. St. Joseph’s University Registrar Syed Wajeed noted that phone lines buzz with admission inquiries before applications open. To meet demand, the university starts early so first-choice students don’t rush elsewhere. He added the process involves screening, tests, interviews, and counselling to handle a diverse applicant pool. Parents worry about early admissions as Class 12 board exam results are still pending, making early offers provisional. They fear this may lead to financial strain if students change plans after results. Many parents feel early admissions push students to apply widely out of fear. Students have mixed reactions too. Soumya P., a Mount Carmel student, said, “It is easy to apply now because later we are all caught up with preparations.” Meanwhile, Maney K. feels pressure as “Everyone is applying because admissions opened early, and that makes you worry about competition.” Some apply to multiple colleges and courses to secure seats. Colleges believe that an earlier admission cycle eases their work and helps start classes smoothly. But as the race to apply gets earlier, students, parents, and institutions all need to adapt to this changing trend.