New Delhi: The Human Resource and Development (HRD) ministry is expected to decide upon conducting a single entrance test for engineering courses across the nation.
As reported by Hindustan Times, the ministry held a meeting with health ministry officials on Monday to discuss the experience of NEET.
Also, how far it has reduced corruption and led to promotion of merit in awarding seats.
According to a senior HRD official, the health ministry officials notified them that the idea of conducting single entrance exam had been a success. The students getting into medical courses maintains a minimum academic standard.
“This ensures merit is maintained and not anyone can simply buy seats. At the same time there are benefits for students as they only have to take a single test, they don’t have to spend on entrance fee and don’t need to travel unnecessarily to different parts of the country for taking the test,” HT quoted an official as saying.
Earlier, the regulator for technical education in the country All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) had cleared a proposal for such an exam in 2018. However, the initiative was objected by West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
Over all, there are nearly 3,300 engineering colleges in India and so far, it is the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) who conducted the Joint Entrance Examination-Mains for admission to engineering courses. IITs conducted IIT Advanced for admissions while private colleges conducted their own entrance tests.
Now, the HRD ministry is to decide whether to conduct a similar exam from 2018 onwards which will replace all the entrances held for admissions in engineering courses.
