'One test will be benchmark'

Prof Sandeep Sancheti recently took over as the Director of National Institute of Technology (NIT) - Delhi, but  continues to be in-charge Director of NIT-Karnataka, from where he migrated.

A strong votary of the proposed merger of IIT-JEE and AIEEE to bring in a common entrance test from 2013, he is an alumnus of Regional Engineering College, Warangal and holds a doctorate from Queens University of the UK. He is currently Chairman of Direct Admission of Students from Abroad (DASA) schemes of the HRD Ministry, whom he actively assisted in the planning and design of the proposed unified test. Excerpts of an interaction with Ronald Anil Fernandes of Deccan Herald:  

Yours views on the HRD ministry’s one nation one test proposal?

I not only strongly support the common entrance test, but also wish that there should be single counselling wherever possible. The new system may be a benchmark in the near future and other international institutes may follow our model.

Advantages or disadvantages, if any?

The new format (CET) proposed for admission to the undergraduate programmes of IITs and other centrally funded institutes like NITs and IIITs after replacing the IIT-JEE and AIEEE, will reduce the burden on students to a great extent. Students henceforth need not write many exams for which they will have to prepare over and again. Secondly, it is proposed to hold the CET twice a year so that an unsuccessful student gets a second chance (which option is not there in the present system). Thirdly, since the students seeking admission to central institutes will have 40 per cent weightage given to their Plus Two board marks, the students’ overall academic performance will be taken into account.

Do you think NITs too should merge with IITs?

You may be aware that NIT-Karnataka has been maintaining the top position (best NIT in the country) for the last couple of years. The moment it gets IIT-tag, the people of Karnataka would lose an NIT, which is the best NIT in the country and much ahead of many IITs. Instead, the authorities concerned can sanction an IIT for the State. There are 20 old NITs and 10 new NITs. The NIT-K was established in 1960.
 
Many fear common entrance test will adversely affect quality of NITs and the graduates they produce?

It should not and it will not. On the other hand, as many as 1.2 million students will be affected positively.

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