The new online system of CET counselling began on Monday with the document verification process.
From this year, parents and students do not have to make numerous visits to the CET cell in Bangalore, but can instead select seats from their homes.
On Monday, as a precursor to the new process, documents of students who had secured ranks from 1 to 2,000 were verified across 13 centres in the State. Students had to get mandated original documents along with attested photocopies of the same.
After the documents were verified, each student was given a secret key number along with a verification slip to log on to the website, once the seat selection process begins.
Contrary to doubts about how students would cope with the new online system, they seemed at ease with the whole process. “Only two students used the hands-on training from morning. Most of them were confident about the process,” said Rashmi V, Commissioner of Department of Pre-University Education.
The department had made the hands-on training optional for students as a practice training module has been uploaded on the KEA website.
Students had a similar opinion to offer. Aditya, who secured rank 496, said the process was not an unfamiliar one.
“I would prefer to try it at home,” he said. Zoya, another candidate who plans to chose architecture, added: “Many of us are familiar with it as it is similar to the AIEEE and other national entrance seat counselling. This should not be a problem at all.”
The department had deputed many officers to clear students’ doubts.
The fact that the commissioner herself was present through the day interacting with students and parents, explaining the procedure in detail, was appreciated by all. “I like that the department is asking students to go through the brochure completely.
Students must also take the responsibility of trying to understand it. However, there are many clauses mentioned in the brochure and I wish the department explained those parts in detail,” felt Chandrasekhar, a parent.
Students were also given a handbook of the procedure with illustrations, along with a DVD explaining the same.
The verification process will go on till July 10. On Tuesday, documents of students who have secured ranks 2,001 to 5,000 will be verified. Option entry process for seats will begin from July 12.