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Core committee formed to look into NITs recommendations- 1-Oct-2015

New Delhi: The recommendations of the NITs to amend the admission procedure and hold a single entrace test both for NITs and IITs could take some more time to fructify as a core committee was constituted today to examine the suggestions.
 
The National Institute of Technology (NITs) have strongly favoured scrapping the 40 per cent Board examination weightage criterion which is taken into account along with the JEE main scores for selecting students.
 
The other recommendation was to hold a single examination for selecting students to both NITs and IITs, and a decision was expected at the NIT Council meeting at Warangal today chaired by Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani.
 
The standing committee of the council of NITs in a meeting last week had also endorsed a proposal for revamping the entrance test, put forth by a government-appointed panel.
 
However, with the core committee being constituted, the recommendations could take a while now before implementation, said a council member, declining to give a timeframe.
 
"The Council deliberated on the proposal to have one exam, one rank, one counselling for all institutes of national importance, and also on the proposal to do away with 40 per cent weightage for the Board exam.
 
"Since there are other stakeholders who need to be consulted, it was decided to constitute a core committee to examine and recommend suitable course of action," said a government statement following the meeting.
 
According to sources, a few NIT directors insisted on continuing with the 40 per cent criterion as it has helped girls especially from rural areas get admission into the NITs.  

They stressed on carrying out a detailed analysis before scrapping the 40 per cent weightage.  

The NIT Council is an apex policy making body for 31 NITs, five Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology, Shibpur.

Highlighting the achievements of the Council, Irani in her remarks said the common counselling for NITs, IITs, IIITs, IIEST, implemented from this year, has not only reduced stress on students and parents, but also minimised the number of vacant seats.
 
She said that less than two per cent seats remained vacant after five rounds of counselling, leading to all-time high umbers of admission in these prestigious institutions.
 
The Council adopted a funding mechanism under which Government will appreciably enhance investments in capital assets, labs, equipment and research, leaving the bulk of running expenses to be recovered through student fee.
 
The increased fee would be met 100 per cent by student - loans at zero per cent rate of interest. This will help in building NITs into robust institutions, the government statement said.
 
A scheme of 'hand holding' of weak students of by a mentor student was vetted at the meeting with the government deciding to provide financial assistance to the latter.
 
Irani had expressed concern over growing incidences of depression among the students due to non performance in studies.
 
Each NIT, IISER, and IIEST Shibpur will also provide a "guarantee" of clean hostel, clean mess, clean water and hygienic and wholesome food.
 
This will be incorporated in mission statement of each institution, the statement said.  

Irani also emphasised that students grievances should addressed effectively and constituted a Student Grievance Redressal Cell at the Council level. This Cell will monitor the redressal of grievances and coordinate with Directors of institutions to address them effectively.
 
A review committee for NIT System was set up by the Council.
 
Stating that the performance of the institutions would be monitored critically, the minister announced that the performers will be rewarded while non-performers will be evaluated critically.
 
The Council also adopted the suggestion of the minister for awarding the Best NIT/IIEST Award.