Consensus on common entrance test: Kapil Sibal

New Delhi: After concerns raised by state governments and Opposition from certain sections of the IIT, HRD minister Kapil Sibal got some much needed support from his state counterparts. There was consensus on the common entrance test for engineering colleges.

"We have to compete internationally, all states have endorsed it. They have given full support," Sibal said.

At the annual meeting of education ministers, even BJP ruled states gave it a thumbs up.

"We welcome this new common entrance format. It will be very good for our students," Gujarat education minister Ramanlal Vora said.

A stamp of approval from the states was much needed because students from the state boards also appear for the IITs and the new JEE pattern will also take into account class 12 results.

A few states though had concerns.

"I do not support it. UP board is very tough. They should reduce percentage for our students to 60," UP education minister Ram Govind Chaudhary said.

However, the alumni and certain sections of the IIT faculty are dead against the move which they feel has been forced upon them.

"It shows a lack of knowledge. The senate has never been consulted on admission issues, the council has always taken a call," IIT-Guwahati Director Gautam Baruah said.

The IIT alumni and faculty association are still very clear. They say the common entrance test will not only reduce autonomy of the IITs but will also compromise on the quality of students coming in. Hence the trouble for the HRD ministry may not be over just yet. If the alumni take the legal route the ministry will have to defend its move before the court.

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