IIT 2013: Centre likely to change exam pattern

Notwithstanding strong opposition from IIT senates, the government may go ahead with its plan to change the selection pattern for the premier institutes from 2013.

Notwithstanding strong opposition from IIT senates, the government may go ahead with its plan to change the selection pattern for the premier institutes from 2013.

Though the government is tight-lipped about its plans for the examination, it is likely to make an official announcement in that regard on May 28. Sources said the dominant view of the government was still to have a two-tier exam of JEE (main) and JEE (advanced) on the same date. It was, therefore, trying to convince various stakeholders on the utility of changing the exam pattern by putting more emphasis on school. However, if the stakeholders are not convinced, there is a possibility of the government rolling back its plans.

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The JEE (main) could be a multiple-choice examination, followed by JEE (advanced), the format of which is yet to be decided, sources said.

Though all candidates can appear for the JEE (advanced) exam, only the papers of the first 50,000 students on the merit list — prepared by placing 50% weightage on board marks and 50% on the JEE (main) score — will be checked. The final merit list will be drawn based on the performance of students in JEE (advanced).

Opposing the government’s proposal, IIT senates and alumni members had suggested that there should be a “lean” period of at least one year before the final implementation, and the common exam should be used only for filtering candidates. The final exam, they held, should be theoretical and must be conducted by IITs — not an outside agency.

The minister will meet members of the All India IIT Faculty Federation on Friday.