Single Engineering Entrance aka NEET only after consultation with States, HRD Ministry

In the AICTE meeting, it is decided that the proposal of single engineering entrance test would be discussed with states before a final decision is taken.

After holding consultation with different states, the government will take a final decision on holding of a NEET-like single entrance examination for admission to engineering colleges. After the one medical entrance examination (NEET) for all the medical candidates has been implemented, the Union HRD Ministry also planned to conduct only one national engineering exam for the engineering aspirants.

According to official sources, on Wednesday at a high-level meeting of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the issue of holding a single examination for engineering college admissions, similar to what NEET is for medical college admissions came up.

The proposal received widespread support from a lot of participants but it was decided that

It was decided that before taking a final decision about conduction of single engineering entrance test it should be discussed with various states as well. Though, the proposal received widespread support from a lot of participants.

According to PTI reports, there is a view in the Prakash Javadekar led HRD ministry that holding a single entrance examination for engineering colleges across the country would not only help in curbing irregularities and bring transparency but also reduce the burden on students of having to appear in several examinations.

A state government official, who was present at the meeting, expressed some reservations about the idea of conducting single entrance test for taking admission to engineering colleges.

Another key proposal which was discussed at the meeting pertained to making an exit test mandatory for students, who are passing out of college to assess their skill sets.

According to the sources, it was again decided in the AICTE meeting that the proposal too would be discussed with states before a final decision is taken. The sources also added that the proposals are expected to be taken up in the next meeting of the council by when the consultation process would be over.