The Ministry of Education has decided to conduct a common entrance test for admission to undergraduate (UG) courses in all 54 central universities. The seven-member committee headed by RP Tiwari, VC of the Central University of Punjab, will submit its report within one month and the move may be implemented for 2021-22.

“Centralisation will improve student diversity as a single exam will make them eligible for admission to multiple central universities”, claims top officials.

"There is a lack of consistency in the UG admission process, as some universities are conducting an entrance test while few rely on merit-based admissions. This will simplify the admission process while customising the exam pattern."

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"Student diversity is poor across universities; the central admission process may allow students from all walks of life to enrol in the desired varsities and courses," told Tiwari 

The Committee is expected to meet on 9 January 2021 to finalise the report before it is submitted. In view of the academic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, there is uncertainty as to the schedule of the various entrance examinations, and many states have also rescheduled the board examinations for May-June 2021.

Rama Shanker Dubey, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat, said, "Some of the most sought-after universities are conducting their entrance tests and it is difficult for students from economically weaker sections (EWS) to keep tabs, apply and attend all the exams. Appearing for different exams also means that one has to pay multiple-test application fees. Common entrance test may also help to get the academic cycle back on track in less time," Dubey says.

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"We have multiple state boards across the country and the relative marking of these boards can be problematic. But, the move also has a positive side, where students will be admitted to the UG in just one test. The Ministry will have to consider a variety of factors before implementing it," said Rajib Ray, Professor at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University and President of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA).

RK Kohli, a senior academic and former VC at the Central University of Punjab, says that conducting a common exam is always a good idea, as it has been in practise for postgraduate (PG) admissions for several years, but it can also cause a divide between the old and the new universities.

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