New IIT entrance test pattern gets mixed reactions from alumni

The compromise between the human resource development ministry and IIT Council over the entrance exam pattern for admission to the engineering institutes Wednesday garnered mixed reactions from the IIT alumni.

“Most of the concerns have been addressed which is a good thing, and I think the IITs will be able to maintain their autonomy,” IIT Faculty Federation secretary Atul Mittal told IANS.

“This is a step in the positive direction,” he added.

At a meeting of ministry officials and IIT Council here Wednesday, it was agreed to have a new two-stage entrance test formula proposed by the IITs following opposition from some of the premier institutes to the single entrance examination mooted by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal. The meeting was attended by directors of all IITs.

As per the new formula, there will be a "main" test for the top 20 percent scorers of all boards, and then a final "advanced" exam, under the IITs supervision, for the top 150,000. The new format will come into effect from 2013, if accepted by the ministry.

IIT-Delhi Alumni Association president Somnath Bharti said that the senate “was glad” with their wish to have complete academic as well as administrative control over the "advanced" exam being accepted.

“But our wish that no change should be forced upon IIT system until 2014 has not been addressed. Also restricting the eligibility to JEE (Main) to top 20 percentile of school boards, we perceive, is pro-rich and will be detrimental to the interests of students from rural India,” he said.

“The alumni have mixed reactions on this decision,” he added.

According to Bharti, a formal meeting has been scheduled here Thursday to decide the future course of action to address the developments.