Most States have “in principle” endorsed the proposal for a common national examination for engineering with effect from 2013, with weightage to State Board results. However, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry and West Bengal sought more time to study the proposal in detail.
At a State Education Ministers Conference held here on Wednesday, the States said they may also decide on adopting the same pattern for admission to State-level engineering institutions with appropriate weightages.
“It was decided that the details for the common examination process would be finalised in the next two months in consultation with States,” a Human Resource Ministry release said.
The conference was chaired by Mr Kapil Sibal, Minister for Human Resource Development.
The presentation on the reforms in the entrance examinations for admission to engineering institutions was made by Dr T Ramasami Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and Prof Sanjay G Dhande, Director, IIT-Kanpur.
It was clarified to States that the reform would not, in any way, affect reservations followed by States and the Centre. It was also clarified to North-Eastern States that the special pool made available by the Ministry would not be affected.
Also, the States could adopt their own weightages for State Board marks and the national examinations for admission to State-level institutions. Accordingly, States could adopt 100 per cent weightage for State Board results, as in Tamil Nadu.
It was clarified that the academic component of the main and advanced examinations would be handled by IITs, whereas the management and conduct of the examination would be done by the Central Board of Secondary Education in collaboration with State Boards.
IITs and other Central educational institutions were proposing to adopt a weightage of 40 per cent for State Board marks. Certain States raised the issue of conduct of examination in regional languages. “It was clarified that the examinations would be conducted in English and Hindi and where States intend to use the same examination for admission to State engineering institutions, the examination could be conducted in the regional language,” the release added.
States have for long felt the need to limit the multiplicity of entrance examinations thereby reducing stress on students and parents.
