'Want consensus on common engineering entrance test'

Kolkata, April 2 (IANS) Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Kapil Sibal Monday said the central government will consult every state government and move forward on a common entrance test for engineeering courses only after consensus is arrived at on the issue.

"We will consult everybody (every state). A meeting is going to take place. All the state education ministers will be there. This (central) government doesn't believe in moving forward unless there is complete consensus and we have consulted everybody," said Sibal on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

Sibal's comment comes in the backdrop of five states opposing the centre's plan to introduce a common national examination for undergraduate engineering courses across the country.

Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Puducherry have opposed the proposal, while Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh asked for wider consultations. These states are keen on retaining their state-level common entrance tests.

Incidentally, Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu who was scheduled to be present at the seminar, remained absent.

When asked about his reaction on Basu's absence, Sibal said: "Don't try to get comment from me so that you can flash them. I don't have any idea (about his absence)."

The proposed Common entrance test is slated to be named Indian Science - Engineering Eligibility Test (ISEET) and is likely to be conducted in April or May next year. The exam will have two parts - ISEET main and ISEET advance.