By Prarthana Mitra
The Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), which has always served as the admission test for the Indian Institue of Technology (IIT) aspirants, recently came under the centre’s radar. The proposal to scrap the examination was vehemently and unanimously nipped in the bud by the IIT Council on Monday. In the meeting, representatives of the institutes announced that this was not the time for radical reforms, but for a refocus on the question pattern of the same.
Proposal refused by council
Rejecting the Ministry of Human Resource Development’s radical proposal, the Council of the Indian Institutes of Technology managed to salvage one of the most competitive examinations in India from the clutches of authorities, which have made a recent habit of tampering with the country’s premier institutes.
After trials and moderate success at JNU, FTII and TISS, the MHRD turned its attention towards dismantling the fabric and character of the IIT’s, but these engineering schools, strewn across the length and breadth of the country, not only enjoy a coveted place here but abroad as well, where they rank among the world’s top-tier technical schools. The Council emphasized the IITian brand value was intricately linked with the JEE system, and why it shouldn’t be altered.
Acquiescing to the demands, the ministry released a statement confirming that the JEE examinations would continue without interference as policy change can only be driven by institutes.
“It is not feasible to scrap JEE Advanced at this stage,” The Print quoted an unidentified council member as saying earlier this month when the rumour of such a proposal was first floated. “The proposal was taken up in the council but unanimously rejected by all members. Rather than taking such radical decisions, we want to focus on improving the pattern of questions.”
Other minutiae of the meeting
The meeting chaired by the Union Minister of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar, saw the Directors of IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad and IIT Tirupati in attendance. The meeting was convened to discuss a number of agenda besides the JEE question.
Crucial decisions regarding the extension of IIT-PAL(Professor Assisted Learning) to the SWAYAM portal were made in order to help students prepare for the JEE entrances. Furthermore, all IITs, from this day forward, will guide five engineering colleges in their vicinity to improve upon the standard of engineering education imparted in the country.
The committee also decided not to revise tuition fees for undergraduate students, leaving the same decision for international students to the Board of Governors of individual IITs. An annual tech-fest aimed at a constructive exchange of ideas, innovations, and technologies could also be in the offing and will witness participation from CEOs of leading public/private sector organizations.
Prarthana Mitra is a staff writer at Qrius
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