The minister announced this decision, after meeting with the IIT Council. He said, “The present criteria is that students need to secure 60 per cent at class-XII for appearing in IIT-JEE. This is not acceptable. The minimum marks required for IIT-JEE could be raised up to 80 to 85 per cent”. When asked about variation in marking across various states of the country, the HRD Minister said the percentile would also become a major factor.

 

With the aim to bring back the focus on research and long-term reforms, the IIT Council also decided to set up a five-member committee under the guidance of Anil Kakodkar, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. The committee will suggest a broad roadmap for the IITs for the next 10 years. The committee has to give its report in next six months, outlining broad areas of reforms required for the elite institutes, to make them global brands.

 

Besides these, the committee will also come up with a vision document for the IITs for the year 2020. The document will suggest measures on how the IITs can collaborate with private sector in IT, bio-tech and other emerging areas. “They will suggest how the IITs need to move forward. The committee will specify on how to give more emphasis on research and how the IITs can be more involved in the national projects for development,” said HRD Minister Kapil Sibal.

 

Meanwhile, the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), which had approved several reforms suggested by the HRD ministry a month ago, was not consulted on the latest proposal to raise the qualifying marks in the Class XII Board exams to 80 per cent.  A CABE member said the move has come out of the blue. It is just an idea now and is likely to meet with more opposition, said Raina.

 

The apex body to advise central and state governments on education, the CABE at its 56th meeting last month had approved a series of reforms, including development of a core curriculum for science and mathematics for school boards, a grading system in CBSE schools from this year and making Class X examinations optional from the next academic session.

 

Mixed responses are coming from the common people as well as state governments on the decision of the Union HRD ministry. In an early reaction, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said he was opposed, for it would place students from the state at a disadvantage at the IIT entrance examinations.

 

However, from a common man’s perspective, Sibal’s decision has both pros and cons. Of course, the raise in the qualifying marks would curtail the coaching culture thriving across the country including national capital New Delhi and famous IIT coaching centre hub Kota in Rajasthan. But at the same time, it would increase the stress in IIT aspirants for getting the 80 per cent deadline in Class XII.

 

Kabil Sibal who himself has argued for de-stressing students and made the Class X examination optional, is putting an extra burden over those who wish to getting admission in IITs. Lastly, the Union Minister should talk with the state governments on this new proposal and ensure that it does not end up shattering the dreams of many.