Committee to suggest model for single engineering entrance

The decision was taken at the IIT Council meeting chaired by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal.

Sibal said the committee under Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, T Ramasami will prepare a detailed framework which would decided about the kind of test and the methodology of selecting students for IITs, NITs and other engineering institutes.

It will submit its report in three months' time. He said the issue of an alternative model was discussed in detail at the meeting. The Acharya Committee interim report on a two-tier selection process was also intensely debated but there were certain objections to the recommendations.

"There was no uniformity on how to go ahead in reforming the system but all agreed that the present examination system of JEE, AIEEE etc has to change to reduce burden," he said.

He said the members were on one page when it came to doing away with coaching as this was proving detrimental to the quality of intake of students within the IITs.

"Members also agreed that the problem of having to appear for a slew of examination to get admission into the university system puts too much pressure, both financially and psychological on families and students," he said.

He said directors of seven IITs were of the opinion that the present system of test for the IITs should not be done away with.

The Ramasami committee, he said, could take all these factors into account while preparing its report.

"The idea is that a student should not have to sit through multiple test. One national level aptitude test should do, but all must be taken onboard," he said.