Common Entrance Test for Engineering colleges hits a roadblock

The Centre’s plan to hold a common entrance test to engineering colleges  seems to have hit a roadblock.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), clearing the Centre’s proposal, had last month formulated a regulation for holding a nationwide test for entrance to all engineering colleges from 2018.

However, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has put the plan on hold for evolving a consensus among the states.

“The common entrance test plan has been put on hold for now as its successful implementation would require a consensus among the states,” an AICTE official told DH.

A consensus is required to bring in clear provisions for common counselling.

“This is necessary to ensure that engineering colleges offer seats only on the basis of all India merit list of the candidates,” the official said.

The ministry initiated the move to hold a common test for entrance to engineering colleges, taking a cue from the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical and dental colleges introduced last year.

TheCBSE conducted NEET following a Supreme Court order. “Under NEET, there is no clear provision for medical colleges to offer seats on the basis of all India merit list. This leaves scope for the colleges to continue with their past practice of admitting students on the basis of their capacity to pay for the seat,” the AICTE official said.

The ministry does not want to roll out its plan for holding a common entrance with “such a loophole”.
“It wants to start holding a common entrance test with a clear provision which makes it compulsory for all engineering colleges to offer seats to candidates as per their rank in the all India merit list.

Otherwise, the purpose of holding such a test will remain unfulfilled. This is possible only when the states come on board. We are holding a consultation with the states,” the official said.