Central panel to visit IIt-B to resolve Jee reforms issue

A special committee constituted by the human resources development (HRD) minister will meet faculty members of the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) on Monday to address concerns over the issue of joint entrance exam (JEE) reforms. Bhavya Dore reports.

A special committee constituted by the human resources development (HRD) minister will meet faculty members of the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) on Monday to address concerns over the issue of joint entrance exam (JEE) reforms. The seven-member committee will make a presentation to the faculty, who will in turn present their set of objections.

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The committee was formed last month by the ministry following opposition from IITs. The senates of IIT-B, IIT-Kanpur and IIT-Delhi have opposed the JEE reforms at special senate sessions convened in February and March, stating that 2013 is too early to implement the reforms.

The other contention of the IITs is that the central IIT council (comprising IIT directors and other officials) did not consult them on the reforms, which include giving 40% weightage to a student’s board exam marks based on a percentile score while determining admission to the IITs.

“Faculty members feel we have been taken for a ride,” said an IIT-B professor. The IIT council will be meeting next week to announce a final decision on the new system.