IIT alumni association writes to HRD ministry against reforms

Opposition to the proposed joint entrance exam (JEE) reforms for entry to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) continues to escalate, with the PanIIT Alumni Association writing to the human resources development ministry and IIT directors with its objections.

Opposition to the proposed joint entrance exam (JEE) reforms for entry to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) continues to escalate, with the PanIIT Alumni Association writing to the human resources development ministry and IIT directors with its objections.

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The Association, which represents more than 2 lakh alumni across the IITs, sent a letter on Tuesday evening to the ministry and IIT directors saying that the institutes should be allowed to decide their admission process. They have also said the reforms need more discussion and should not be implemented in a hurry.

The ministry had earlier said the reforms would be implemented from 2013.

“The IITs are autonomous and have their own eco-system which has enabled them to do well,” said Hari Padmanabhan, chairman of the Association. “Any aspect of this ecosystem needs to be decided by each IIT senate. Leave it to the IITs.”

Two weeks ago, HRD minster Kapil Sibal met IIT directors and the All India IIT Faculty Federation. Each of the IITs is now in the process of formulating its own reforms proposal.

The PanIIT Alumni Association had held a discussion on April 15. Other points raised include that the JEE should be left to the IITs to conduct.