More points for non-engg students during admission to IIM-Lucknow

In a bid to increase diversity on the campus, IIM-L has made amendments in its post-graduate programme admission policy under which non-engineering students from arts, commerce and even journalism will get an additional weightage of 2.5 points during the admission process.

"The main purpose of changing the admission policy is to bring diversity in our batches," Chairman of IIM-L's Admission Committee Prof Himanshu Rai told PTI.At present, batches at IIM-L include 85 per cent students from engineering background and only 15 per cent from other disciplines.

"We want to increase the percentage of non-engineers who can take admission in the institute. The purpose is to provide a level playing field to students from various backgrounds, like arts and commerce", he said.

Under the new admission policy, out of a total of 50 points of weight, a special weightage of graduation profile of 2.5 points would be given to students from backgrounds apart from engineering, Rai said.

"These disciplines include humanities, fine arts (dance, music, painting), history, literature, philosophy, archaeology, languages, library science, commerce/economics, chartered accountancy, company secretaryship, education (including physical education and sports), law, medicine and pharmacology," Rai said.

In case a student from any of these disciplines has work experience, she or he will get an additional weight of 2.5 points, he said.

"It has been observed that while an engineering topper may score 100 per cent marks, a chartered accountancy topper may score less than 65 per cent. Generally due to lesser percentage, students from arts and commerce fail to secure a berth in the IIM. Introduction of special weight would provide students of other disciplines a level playing field," he added.

Stating that management is all about experience and practice, the chairman of the admission committee said: "Its not about lectures alone. Diversity in the batch will enrich the learning experience in management as people from different backgrounds will bring different perspectives".