Fate of over 300 shortlisted students hang in balance

The Supreme Court’s refusal to stay the Andhra Pradesh high court’s May 28 order will affect a total of 325 students shortlisted in IIT-JEE 2012 under sub-quota category.

The Supreme Court’s refusal to stay the Andhra Pradesh high court’s May 28 order will affect a total of 325 students shortlisted in IIT-JEE 2012 under sub-quota category.

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This year, the IITs had allowed a 4.5% sub-quota within the 27% seats reserved for other backward classes (OBC) — the non-creamy layer — OBC (NCL).

The 4.5% sub-quota reserved for minorities in IIT selection was on May 28 merged in the OBC category after the judgment of the Andhra Pradesh high court squashed the sub-quota provision.

“Those shortlisted in the minority sub-quota have been merged in the OBC category. Under such a case, it is possible that someone who gets a rank over 3000 may not get a good branch or something not of his choice. We had therefore advised these students to widen their choice for courses so that a seat in IIT is ensured,” said Dr GB Reddy, organising chairperson, IIT-JEE 2012.

Sources said the merger of sub-quota category in the OBC category, could indirectly benefit candidates of OBC category.

There were a total of 445 seats for sub-quota category but only 325 candidates could be shortlisted.

As many as 2,613 seats were reserved for OBCs.

Nearly 500,000 candidates had appeared for the IIT-JEE this year.

The results were announced on May 18. Counselling for shortlisted candidates had closed on June 10. A shortlisted candidate rued over the development and said: “I was celebrating when my result came. Today, I have no hope.”