More IITs may go against common entrance test

New Delhi: IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay are likely to emulate Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur which has decided to hold its own entrance test after rejecting HRD Minister Kapil Sibal's 'one nation, one test' proposal.

A member of the IIT Delhi senate, who did not wish to be named, said that IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay -- possibly other IITs also -- may soon follow IIT Kanpur's example.

"There is a common sentiment, and most IITs are against the new pattern," the member said. "This was virtually forced on the senates by the IIT council," he said about the common entrance test.

IIT Delhi Alumni Association, which is spearheading the battle, feels the new format will affect IITs\' quality.

In a clear revolt against the human resource development ministry's move for a common engineering entrance test, IIT Kanpur on Friday decided to hold its own entrance test from 2013.

Upset with the ministry's decision to merge IIT Joint Entrance Exam (IIT-JEE) with the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), the 210-member senate of IIT Kanpur passed a resolution rejecting the new format.

Even though there is no official reaction from the HRD ministry, a senior official said the senate could not overrule the IIT council.

IIT Delhi Alumni Association (IITDAA), which has been spearheading the battle against the new format, is set to meet on Saturday evening to decide on the future strategy.

"What IIT Kanpur did is the right thing... the senates have been overruled in taking the decision," IITDAA president Somnath Bharti said.

He questioned the government decision, saying it would adversely affect the quality of the IITs.

"The senates need to be given more autonomy. The IITs have to compete with international engineering institutes like the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). For the students who cannot afford going to international institutions, IITs are the only option," he said.

"Instead of giving more facilities to the IITs so that they can compete internationally, the government is pulling them down," he said.

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