Sibal for changes in engineering entrance exams

Updated on: Monday, September 13, 2010

In a bid to thwart the number of coaching institutes, Human Resource and Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal said that the Indian Institute of Technology entrance exams need an overhaul. Sibal said, “The present system of coaching must go as it is detrimental to the quality of intake.”

This move was proposed by the Ministry earlier as well. The Acharya Committee was set up and it recommended that weightage should be given to the Class 12th scores and a national aptitude test for engineering should be held. A conclusive decision could not be taken as regards to the recommendations but all members agreed on the need for change, according to Sibal.

"There are two things. Firstly the present system of coaching must go as it is detrimental to quality of intake; secondly, the problem of children appearing for multiple entrance exams causes financial and psychological pressure on the children and their family," Sibal said. There were also suggestions that state wise percentiles given to students should be considered for the entrance to bring students from all states on an even keel.

The Minister said that a committee has been formed under Science and Technology Secretary T Ramasami and it will submit its report in three months."After that we'll involve all IITs and have a full discussion," he said.

“The IITs have said that they don’t want to do away with the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) but if a viable alternative is provided they will discuss it with their faculty,” Sibal added.

Sibal for changes in engineering entrance exams

More Education news