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Journalism of Courage
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is set to be conducted for the second time across the country, and while it faced several technical glitches in its debut year, the UGC Chairman, M Jagadesh Kumar, believes that the hard days are a thing of the past now.
Not just CUET, but several other initiatives were introduced by the UGC this year, such as permission to foreign universities to set up campuses in India, ‘one nation, one exam’ and more. UGC Chief talks to indianexpress.com about happening in the Indian education system.
Q: On the topic of foreign universities being invited to set up campuses in India, which varsities have said yes to setting up campuses in India? Till now, have any of the big names (such as Ivy League universities) shown interest?
Why is this particular emphasis on Ivy League universities? If they come, it is alright, but there are several excellent universities around the world.
The idea behind the UGC regulations is to attract those universities which will provide high quality education and research opportunities to our students. Informal discussions indicate that many universities are interested, primarily because India has a vast aspirational student population. Once the final regulations are announced, the online application portal will be open, and in due course of time, we will come to know which universities are applying.
Q: When a student goes abroad to study, he/she gets the ‘study abroad experience’ for the price they pay. So, why should Indian students adopt to study in foreign universities in India and miss out on that experience?
There is no doubt that many students who go abroad for studies go there because of the opportunities to work in a different culture, make new friends, and find opportunities to work overseas. Such students will continue to leave the country. The idea of opening foreign university campuses in India is that it provides an additional choice to the students — to stay in India but access foreign university education. Students will choose the option which suits their aspirations best.
Q: What are the changes being brought into CUET this time around, be it in terms of conduction, syllabus or results? Also, are there any other proposed changes that we can see in the future?
First, we announced the test schedule well in advance. National Testing Agency is working on identifying test centres across the country. We have categorised the centres. The first category is those with which we had a good experience. The second category needs to improve its computer and network facilities. The third category of centres from last year is those that the NTA will not use this time.
We will try to give more than 95 per cent of applicants the first choice of centres. For others, we are working on allotting a test centre within 100 km. NTA will also announce the city information to the students in advance so that they can make their travel arrangements. We will avoid glitches, so students can focus on the entrance test without worries.
Q: It was alleged that the academic calendar got delayed due to the challenges brought in by CUET. Do you agree with this? What is the UGC or NTA doing this time to ensure there are no delays?
Last year, we were recovering from Covid, and most universities were working hard to restore the academic calendar. This time, we announced the CUET schedule on December 15. NTA will conduct CUET UG from May 21 to May 31 and the results will be out in June. Therefore, the admissions can be done in July and the universities can start their academic sessions by August 1, 2023. This year, we will recover the academic calendar to its original form.
Q: Some universities (such as NEHU) have been exempted from CUET UG, due to “limited digital connectivity and infrastructure”. It was said last year that these varsities will be able to adopt CUET from 2023 but they are still not tech ready. Was this not observed before starting the national-level exam?
Such universities are making their efforts, and we hope they will be onboarded once digital connectivity improves.
Q: Universities like Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University also decided to skip adopting CUET UG for all programmes. While we know that UGC had sent letters to the two varsities about the same, has the talk reached any conclusion?
UGC’s stand is clear. In all central universities, undergraduate admissions in all disciplines should be based on CUET UG. UGC will consider it an exception if there are valid reasons, such as a lack of sufficient digital connectivity. Keeping away from CUET UG is tantamount to depriving our students, mainly from socially and economically disadvantaged groups, of a level playing ground.
Q: The students often complain that the NTA releases entrance tests like NEET, CUET or JEE results at odd hours of the night. Is there any specific reason behind this?
If there are any possible errors, machine or human-related, it becomes difficult to rectify them once the results are announced. Sometimes this last-effort verification may delay the announcement of results by a few hours on the declaration day, but we will try to minimise such delays.
Q: Many varsities claim that due to CUET they were unable to fill their seats…
CUET was held for the first time in 2022, therefore, it is difficult to say that CUET is the reason for not being able to fill all seats. This year, since CUET UG results will be available by the second week of June, universities will have sufficient time to make several rounds of admission offers to the students and fill the seats.
Q: A lot of students have also said that they are having to appear for too many exams now which drains them in an already hectic schedule…
CUET has replaced many other entrance tests students were forced to take earlier in various universities. But now, by writing CUET, students can avoid travelling to different cities to write different university tests and apply to multiple universities using their CUET scores. There are many benefits of this new entrance test.
Q: This year, ICAR has also adopted CUET UG. Is this decision aimed at promoting agricultural courses in the country? What is the Commission doing to promote agricultural courses to the level of JEE/engineering, NEET courses?
ICAR joining CUET UG is a welcome move. As part of implementing NEP 2020, India is reforming all higher education disciplines. UGC has announced several of these reforms, and most universities are gearing up to adopt these regulations. Therefore, irrespective of the field, we will see many valuable reforms enabling the students to be future-ready across the board.
Q: Why is NCWEB taking CUET PG, but not adopting CUET UG for its undergraduate admissions?
NCWEB students could give examinations with special coaching but without attending regular classes. Only women students residing in the National Capital Territory of Delhi can enroll themselves as students in NCWEB. That is why the university has perhaps not adopted CUET UG in this programme.
Q: ‘One nation, one exam’ was announced last year but there have not been any major updates on it. By when can students expect implementation of that, and how will it work?
NEP 2020 suggests that students should not be subjected to multiple entrance tests. Due to numerous tests, students will face stress and financial difficulties. Therefore, a strong case exists for ‘One nation, one exam’ for admissions in different disciplines.
To have such a national test, much groundwork must be done. An idea on this is floated for discussion among the stakeholders. Whenever such a test is introduced, it will be known to the students at least two years before so that they are mentally ready. For now, they need to focus on NEET, JEE, or CUET, depending on where they want to study.
Q: Why can’t the NEET UG exam be held twice a year, just like JEE?
In principle, it would benefit the students if such tests were held twice a year. But it requires a lot of groundwork.
