Edu-leaders

Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Kapil Sibal, has said that it is his “dream” to implement a single common entrance exam at the national level by 2013 for admission to engineering and science colleges.

During an interaction, he said, "My real dream is by 2013, I should have the first all India test.”

A committee chaired by T Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, was constituted to re-look into the test methodology of selecting students and have a common system for admission.

The National Aptitude Test aims at reducing psychological and financial stress on students.

Sibal said Ramasami had carried out a study to seek response for a single test and the response says that 80 per cent of the people in India want the test. No political party has refused to have it.

According to reports, when asked about opposition from Tamil Nadu to this, he said "that is a peculiarly Tamil Nadu legislative decision, which is now being challenged in Madras high court. That's entirely different from having a separate test."

He said if there is an all-India list and there is an equalisation procedure that takes into account each state board, every child can get admission to the institution of his choice and there will be no capitation fee.