IIT directors, Sibal spar over entrance exam

Directors of seven Indian Institutes of Technology on Friday opposed a proposal to scrap the IIT Joint Entrance Examination, stalling for now Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal's suggestion for a single aptitude test replacing multiple examinations for admissions into undergraduate schools across the country.

Directors of seven Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) on Friday opposed a proposal to scrap the IIT Joint Entrance Examination, stalling for now Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal's suggestion for a single aptitude test replacing multiple examinations for admissions into undergraduate schools across the country.

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The plan aims to reduce the influence of coaching classes and at reducing the number of entrance tests students need to take.

Unable to arrive at a consensus over examination reforms, the IIT Council — the highest decision-making body of the institutes — set up a panel to evolve a reform blueprint acceptable to both the institutes and the government.

A panel set up by the HRD Ministry had suggested in addition to the aptitude test, institutions like the IITs be allowed to conduct their own add-on test. The ministry is unwilling to accept the add-on test.

The council chaired by Sibal also accepted a proposal — first reported by HT on September 2 — allowing foreign faculty to teach at the IITs holding permanent posts. The IITs can also create extra seats for foreign students in postgraduate courses up to 25 per cent of their student strength.