(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of higher educational institutions in the country are now conducting entrance examinations online;
(b) if so, whether the Government is considering any norms for the conduct of these examinations and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has undertaken any study on the handicap students from rural areas and economically weaker sections who will be facing these online examinations; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a) & (b): The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has conducted online National Level Common Management Admission Test 2012 (CMAT) for facilitating institutions to select suitable students for admission in all management programs approved by AICTE for year 2012-13. AICTE will conduct CMAT twice in a year for admission in AICTE approved institutions for session 2013-14. A computerized Common Admission Test (CAT) for admission to Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) has also been conducting by IIMs since 2009. Being autonomous institutions, the entire process of conducting exam is coordinated centrally by IIMs. The Director Forum takes overall policy decision regarding CAT examination.
(c) & (d): For the benefit of Disabled candidates Testing Assistive devices (TA devices) also known as technical aids are designed to directly enable people with disabilities to perform a particular task successfully. Magnifying Screens are provided by CAT test centres for Visually Impaired students.