Question : ONLINE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of higher educational institutions in the country are not conducting online entrance examinations;

(b) if so, the details thereof, Institute-wise;

(c) whether the Government is considering to lay down any norms for the conduct of these examinations;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government has undertaken any study of the hardships being faced by the handicapped, weaker section and rural area`s students; and

(f) if so, the details thereof including the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)

(a) & (b): While a large number of higher educational institutions in the country are not conducting common entrance examination, no centralized information in regard to such institutions is being maintained.

(c) & (d): As the Examination Bodies in the country enjoy functional autonomy in regard to the methodology and conduct of entrance examinations held under the purview, the Ministry of Human Resource Development does not propose to lay down any norms for the conduct of online entrance examinations.

(e) & (f): According to the information furnished by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), which is conducting examinations for AIEEE, 2012, the online examination is being offered by it only on optional basis. The AICTE, which has proposed to conduct Common Management Aptitude Test (CMAT) for admission to AICTE approved institutions for pursuing management programmes, is conducting the test in 61 centres, spanning ten days, with requisite support to the physically disabled persons.