B-schools can conduct own admissions: SC

The Supreme Court has stayed controversial new admission norms for private B-schools for the 2011 academic session, in a major setback to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the government. Charu Sudan Kasturi reports.

The Supreme Court has stayed controversial new admission norms for private B-schools for the 2011 academic session, in a major setback to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and the government.

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But the SC also asked the Centre to prepare a formula for setting fees across B-schools and other higher educational institutions, a move that top private B-schools are comfortable with but which will hit cheat institutions. The order effects over 500 private B-schools across India.

The apex court’s interim stay means that top private B-schools offering post graduate diplomas in management (PGDM) can conduct their own group discussions (GD) and interviews to pick students this year.

“This is a major victory against the arrogance of AICTE. This was critical for the growth of quality business education in this country,” Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) director H Chaturvedi said.

A controversial December 28, 2010 AICTE notification had empowered state governments to conduct the admission process for all B-schools in their state.

While B-schools could — till the SC order — pick from one of three entrance examinations from which they would shortlist students, state governments would conduct the GD and interview for all students. The AICTE norms — backed by an ambivalent HRD ministry — also allowed state governments to set fees for B-schools.