India, June 28 -- PUNE The Directorate of Art, Government of Maharashtra, has extended the deadline to submit applications for diploma courses to July 5. These courses, spanning one to three years, are open to students who have completed their Class 10 (SSC).

The programmes are offered across government, government-aided, unaided, and permanently unaided art institutions throughout the state.

While the original deadline to submit applications was June 20, it was extended following poor response from students, said officials.

To boost enrollment and raise awareness among potential candidates, the state government has taken a proactive approach by sending SMS alerts to 1,20,741 students.

"The arts sector offers immense creative and prof...