In a major step towards educational reforms in higher education, Union human resource development ministry is likely to finalise next month a proposal for single entrance exam for all engineering institutes like IITs, NITs and engineering colleges across the country. The final proposal is likely to suggest doing away with multiple engineering entrance examinations like AIEEE, IIT-JEE etc.
The step of the HRD ministry assumes significance as a IIT directors’ committee had recently recommended a two-tier entrance exam structure for the prestigious institutes, clearly opposing HRD minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal for single entrance examination. Sources stated that after the proposal for single entrance examination is prepared the HRD ministry is likely to launch a consultation process on the issue next month. “All stakeholders will be consulted before any decision is taken on the issue,” sources added.
Explaining the advantages of a common entrance test, sources stated that once it is implemented students will be able to chose an engineering institute after sitting in a single test. About 10 lakh students appear for AIEEE every year while about four lakh sit for IIT-JEE. Currently, students who wish to apply for IITs and NITs have to take both examinations, but once the single examination system comes into force they will need to give just one exam and their seat allocation will be decided on the basis of their merit.
The proposed system could also address another anomaly as several students often secure admission in more than one institute and finally take admission in the institute of their choice.