Biology and mathematics examinations will be held on 28th and physics and chemistry exams will be held on 29th. All papers will be for 60 marks with biology and physics scheduled for the morning sessions from 10:30 am to 11:50 am. Mathematics and chemistry have been scheduled for the afternoon sessions from 2:30 pm to 3:50 pm.

Announcing the time-table, Minister for Higher Education Aravind Limbavali told the media that the department’s efforts to provide coaching to rural students was well received, and that there was a demand for more coaching centres.
“We have set up 102 coaching centres for rural students and about 14,000 students are benefiting from it. There is a demand for more centres, and a decision will be taken after due consideration,” he said. In connection with the proposal to set up 175 new government colleges in the State, the minister said the government had already acquired land for all but 12 of the colleges. Limbavali said funds would be allocated for the construction of 35 colleges in next year’s budget.

Government ready
Meanwhile, Limbavali reiterated the government’s interest in holding a common CET and issued an open invitation to the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges Karnataka (COMED-K) for discussions. “I want to invite them via the media for talks on holding a common CET. At the moment, two examinations are placing too much of a burden on the students,” he said. Limbavali added that the government would soon get in touch with COMED-K representatives for talks on unifying the entrance exams.

In response, Executive Secretary of COMED-K, Dr S Kumar, told Deccan Herald that there was no communication from the minister or department yet. “I have not received any communication from the minister or the Higher Education department yet,” he said. He added that even if the government were to invite COMED-K for talks, there were several “anxieties” that he shared with other educationalists, which will be the pre-condition for the talks.