Sibal rules out rollback of common IIT Test

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal Monday virtually ruled out going back on the controversial proposal for a nationwide common entrance test for Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs).

'The 'one nation, one test' proposal was a unanimous decision of the IIT Council taken in accordance with the IIT Act passed by the Indian Parliament.' He was responding to media on the sideline of a high level meeting with US counterparts in Washington.

IIT Kanpur and others have opposed the government decision of conducting common entrance test of IIT Joint Entrance Exam (IIT-JEE) with the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) since 2013.

However, he ruled out that it would impact on the autonomy of India's premium technology institute.

'There is no intent to impact on the IIT system autonomy. The exam that is being contemplated is to be set by the IIT itself,' said Kapil. He would study the proposal of IIT-Kanpur when he would return to India, added HRD Minister.

'This has nothing to do with the government,' he said asserting it would have no impact on the quality of the education in IITs.

"I think, globally we have to thank the way we think," he said. "Time has come for educational institutions to think differently," he added.

India would be setting about 100 community colleges in India from 2013 with the help of the United States, sources said.

--With IANS Inputs--