IIT-Kanpur forms admission panel, rest still mulling

Amid speculations that the IITs at Delhi, Mumbai and Kharagpur would also reject the common entrance exam, IIT-Kanpur has constituted an admission committee for conducting a separate examination in 2013. Vanita Srivastava reports. Exam protest hits IIT-Kharagpur

Amid speculations that the IITs at Delhi, Mumbai and Kharagpur would also reject the common entrance exam, IIT-Kanpur on Sunday constituted an admission committee for conducting a separate examination in 2013.

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A final decision on whether other IITs would go the Kanpur way would be taken only after they conduct separate senate meetings for the purpose.

Sources said the admission committee of IIT-Kanpur would consist of nine members, and the first meeting will be held on Tuesday. The committee will look into various aspects of the exam, and also coordinate with other IITs in that regard.

"The format of the exam will be more or less the same, with a few minor changes. However, all the fundamentals of the exam will be discussed," said a member of the admission committee. "We were essentially against the formula through which the normalisation of boards was being done. This is in favour of those living in bigger cities."

Meanwhile, strong opposition arose against of the director of IIT-Kharagpur for making public statements that allegedly contradicted with resolutions passed by the senate. "There were 500 members present at our senate, of which 490 opposed the government's proposal. Now, how is the Director saying that that his senate was with the government’s proposal? We fear that Bengal students will be worst hit if board marks are added for selection in JEE, considering that it is very difficult to get even 60% in our board exams," said a professor.

IIT-Kharagpur director Damodar Acharya said he was not aware of any such voices of dissent. "The minutes of the senate meeting are available, and it can throw light on everything."

Meanwhile, the IIT-Delhi Alumni Association met on Sunday, and decided that they would wait for a meeting with the PM. Though IIT-Bombay’s senate has also opposed the government’s proposal, it will take a decision on following IIT-Kanpur's example only after a meeting in June-end or early July.

The members of Forum For Fairness in Education, a 20-year-old registered NGO in Mumbai, have decided to move the court next week.

"We have got more than 400 signatures from parents, who are with us. I will discuss with my lawyer on Monday and then go ahead with the PIL," said Jayant Jain, forum president.