From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 8: The Minimum Eligibility Marks Criteria has been dropped and the Common Entrance Test (CET) for the admissions to professional courses in Karnataka this year will be held between August 28 and 30, Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister Dr C N Ashwatha Narayana announced in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, he said the State Government is considering making CET as a common base for admission into all science courses.
The minimum eligibility marks, which was set as a criterion for writing CET has been relaxed for the current academic 2021-2021.
After a meeting with regard to CET, he said the registration process for the CET-2021 will begin on June 15.
In case CET performance is made as to the common basis for admission into all the science-based courses, some of the courses may need certain relaxations and these will have to be decided depending on the nature of the courses, Dr Narayana explained.
The Minimum eligibility marks of 45% (40% for SC/ST/OBC) in PCM subjects in 2nd PUC examination, which was considered as a criterion all these years to write CET, will not be applicable for this year.
For professional courses including Agricultural science, pharmacy, veterinary, engineering, medical courses in the current academic year, he said only CET ranking will be taken into account.
Official communication with regard to the change will be sent immediately to respective academic councils, Dr Narayana said.
Ranks for admission to engineering courses will be awarded on the basis of the marks obtained in PCM subjects of the CET examination only.
The earlier method of considering the PCM marks obtained in the annual exams and CET in equal proportions will not be applicable for this year, he said.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar had suggested to consider only CET Ranking as a parameter for admission into professional courses and that has been considered and accepted, the Deputy Chief Minister said.
2 lakh students may appear for CET
This year the number of students who pass out may increase by 30% and this would result in about 2 lakh more students seeking admission for degree courses. Accordingly, measures will be taken to accommodate these increased number of students in government and private colleges, Dr Narayana explained.
The Higher Education Minister said the CET will be held on August 28 to 30 as scheduled earlier.
The CET for Maths and Biology will be held on August 28 and Physics and Chemistry on 29th of August. Each paper will carry for 60 marks. The Kannada language test for Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannada Candidates (Kannadiga candidates of other States and Border regions) will be held on August 30 as scheduled, he added.