Common test for universities likely

The Modi government is planning to bring in a common entrance test for all central universities of the country, besides considering a proposal to increase the intake of students in these universities.

Sources said the development is significance as a common entrance test and common counselling would save students from the trouble of going to various locations for tests and counselling of different universities. Once implemented, it’ll be easy for them to seek transfer from one university to the other.

The decision on these issues is likely to be taken on October 6 at a meeting of vice-chancellors of 41 central universities to be chaired by Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar at Banaras Hindu University.

Sources said Mr Javadekar wants to clear these proposals pending since Kapil Sibal headed the ministry during the UPA government. A proposal that aims to create a common syllabus, with some variation allowed for each university, is also likely to come up for discussion.

The common syllabus is likely to help establish a certain educational level amongst students across the country. The officials will also discuss common rules and regulations for all central universities — a long-pending proposal — as the government wants to make it easier for students to seek transfer from one university to the other. “Apart from making the migration process easier, students will also be able to seek admission to their desired courses,” sources added. Other issues to be discussed in the meeting include actions taken and proposed for improvement of education, research, internal resource generation, infrastructure, student centric initiatives, and e-governance initiatives.

Mr Javadekar will ask the V-Cs to focus on improving the quality of education as to boost international rankings of the universities. The Union minister has already held review meeting of IIITs, IITs, IISERs and IIMs before this.