The state government of Kerala has hailed the central government’s idea to introduce NEET-like engineering entrance exam. HRD Ministry urged All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to take suggestions from all the states regarding the implementation of NEET-like model engineering entrance exam
Principal Secretary of Higher Education, Usha Titus clarified that the state government does not have any objection to hold NEET-like model engineering entrance exam if the central government conducts it flawlessly.
If majority of the states react positively to NEET-like engineering entrance exam, the union government will implement the same from 2019. However, many states expressed that holding single engineering entrance exam from 2019 would not be practically possible. A couple of years are necessary to implement the same.
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An official associated with the Higher Education Department of Kerala revealed that NEET-like entrance test for engineering courses would improve the quality of education. Many grey areas with regard to the number of seats available in deemed institutes and admissions would be cleared due to the prevalence of model engineering entrance exam on the lines of NEET.
In December 2017, HRD Ministry planned to implement the single engineering entrance exam from the year 2018. However, the ministry rolled-back its decision in August 2017 after holding consultations with stakeholder and AICTE. The plan to implement the single exam for engineering courses is under review, and AICTE is yet to submit the recommendations.
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At present, states and deemed universities hold a separate entrance exam for engineering courses. If the government introduces single engineering entrance tests, multiple entrance exams for the admission to engineering courses will be scrapped.