IIT-Kanpur rejects Sibal proposal; to hold own entrance test

In open defiance of human resources development minister Kapil Sibal, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur has rejected the proposal for a joint common entrance exam (JEE) for all government-funded engineering institutes in the country, and will continue to hold its own entrance exam.

A resolution to this effect was passed unanimously at IIT-Kanpur's special senate meeting attended by around 80 members. The admission committee for the exam would be announced shortly.

"In the interest of students, we have decided to hold a separate exam. We will not be part of the joint test proposed by the IIT council in 2013," said Dr Y N Mohapatra, spokesperson, IIT-Kanpur senate, adding that the rules gave IIT senates the right to decide their admission process and syllabi.

Professor A K Chaturvedi of the institute said, "Hopes of lakhs of students each year rest on these exams. So the government shouldn't take it lightly. The decision on JEE should be taken after proper research and figures are taken into account."

It is believed that IIT-Kanpur's decision will pave the way for the other IITs to follow suit; and in fact Mohapatra openly invited other IITs to do the same.

Terming it as a very important development, IIT-Delhi alumni president Somnath Bharti said, "Other senates are likely to follow suit."