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Introduction:
The Common University Entrance Test – CUET is being introduced for admission to all Undergraduate Programmes in all Central Universities for academic session 2022-23. A single examination will enable the Candidates to cover a wide outreach and be part of the admissions process to various Central Universities. The CUET will be conducted in 13 languages namely Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Urdu, Assamese, Bengali, Punjabi, Odia and English by the National Testing Agency. The CUET may also be adopted by the State/ Private / Deemed to be Universities. The CUET will provide a common platform and equal opportunities to candidates across the country, especially those from rural and other remote areas and help establish better connect with the Universities. Meanwhile Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution, urging Centre Govt to withdraw CUET.
Problems in imposing uniform exam like CUET in a diverse country like India:
- Every state has its own syllabus and exam pattern till higher secondary level. Putting all students then for single entrance would be unfair for many.
- Further Students from rural and under-privileged who cannot afford private coaching would find it difficult to compete with urban students.
- A centralized exam keeps the state government out of the admission process. Also state reservation rules will not apply
- Exam is not conducted in all official languages of India.
Rationale:
- In pursuance of the National Education Policy, 2020, it has been decided to conduct common entrance test for admission in central universities from the academic year 2022-23 to reduce the burden on students, universities and the entire education system.
- The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate programme is to assess the students of different boards at the same level, giving them equal opportunity.
- Students may apply to more than one universities as per their choice with one application form thereby reducing financial burden and increasing access
- The University Grants Commission (UGC)has announced that admission into undergraduate courses in all centrally-funded universities will henceforth be solely on the basis of a Common University Entrance Test (CUET).
- All 45 central universities will have to admit students on the basis of their scores on the test.
- Class 12 Board Exam marks will no longer be considered.
Benefits of uniform exam like CUET-
- CUET would avoid multiple entrance tests and minimize corruption and irregularities in admissions to courses.
- There could be standardize benchmark and uniform quality in the exam pattern and process.
- CUET could bring fair and transparent admission system to curb rampant commercialization of medical education.
- Apart from English and Hindi the examination will be conducted in many vernacular languages
CUET:
- The CUET will be a computerised test to be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Following the exam, the NTA will prepare a merit list on the basis of which these universities will admit students.
- This entrance test is compulsory for all the central universities and may also be adopted by the state/private/deemed to be universities.
- The entrance exam will be offered in 13 languages.
- International students are exempted from CUET; their admissions will be carried out on the existing supernumerary basis.
Need:
- To level the playing field for aspirants as different examination boards in the country may mark students differently )Some Boards are more generous than others in marking and this gives their students an unfair advantage over others).
- It will save students from the “stress of impossibly high cut-offs for admission”. Last year, eight DU colleges had set cut-offs at 100% marks for 11 courses.
- It is expected to reduce financial burden on parents and students, as candidates will only have to write one exam.
NTA:
- In pursuance of the Budget Announcement 2017-18, the Union Cabinet, in November 2017, approved creation of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country.
- Constitution:
- NTA will be chaired by an eminent educationist appointed by MHRD.
- The CEO will be the Director General to be appointed by the Government.
- There will be a Board of Governors comprising members from user institutions.
- The Director General will be assisted by 9 verticals headed by academicians/ experts.
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