CUCET has become mandatory for admission to undergraduate courses in central universities from the academic year 2022-23. As per National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this common entrance test will focus more on aptitude than academics.
Likewise, admission processes are expected to undergo changes as the Central University Common Entrance Test (CUCET) will be conducted for all central universities across the country. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct this entrance test, as per UGC guidelines.
However, universities and educationists across the country are divided in their opinion on entrance tests for central universities and especially whether CUCET should be held. Here’s a detailed report on this burning issue, and what CUCET holds.
UGC Directs Central Universities to Conduct CUCET from 2022
The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Union Education Ministry have already notified various central universities about the mandatory inclusion of the entrance test for admission across India from 2022.
Following this, each central university has begun the preparations. For the upcoming academic year 2022-23, Delhi University has also made the entrance test mandatory. The decision to make the entrance exam mandatory was made on December 17, 2021.
Students who wish to seek DU Admission 2022 will be required to appear for CUCET. The final list of shortlisted candidates will be prepared based on the marks obtained in entrance examination and the class XII board.
DU Approved CUCET; UG Admission through Entrance from 2022
As per the Union Education Ministry, there has always been the demand to implement entrance test but it has been approved only now. In addition to that, several universities passed many proposals in their academic as well as executive councils in relation to the CET.
Is CUCET a Reformative Step in the Admission System?
As per UGC’s directions, CUCET has been enforced for UG admissions in all central universities, with the sole purpose of working on the demerits of the present admission system. The present system involves preparing a merit list based on Class 12 marks. Based on the merit lists, students confirm admission. Those who do not receive a seat, they check for other colleges and universities.
With the implementation of CUCET, 12th marks will not be a criteria for admission, rather securing good marks in CUCET will. Additionally, students will be subjected to a common filter and lenient boards will not have advantage over others.
Moreover, the soaring cutoffs which have been an issue both in admission sessions of 2020 and 2021, will not have any effect on the admission system. Students from regional boards will have a fair share in the exam which will be conducted in at least 13 regional languages.
Despite all these merits, all the defaulters if any, will surface in times to come, once implemented.
Admission Policy to Change Following CUCET
As entrance tests are a must for admission across the central universities, Delhi University, and other central universities are also including this step in their academic manual. Students seeking admission to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University and many more, have to prepare for CUCET rigorously.
Following the current admission procedure, the merit list will be made on the basis of the marks secured in CUCET and the board examinations. Students seeking admission can fill the desired university forms. In case they face difficulties or fail to get admission in the university of their choice, they can approach the institutions with vacant seats.
Therefore, the National Testing Agency will mandatorily conduct the CET examination from the academic year 2022 onwards. Also with the rising importance of CUCET, various coaching centres are most likely to grow and that might impact the students from lower income families.
CUCET Elicits Mixed Reactions from Top Educationists in India
Famous educationist C. S. Kandpal stated, the efficacy of this system and the advantages are yet to be discussed as per the experience received. The academic institutions however should welcome this option with a positive outlook.
The entrance examinations will open new doors of opportunities for students. If there are demerits in the system or in the conduct or in the process of examinations in future, there is always a chance to improve, Kandpal said.
Delhi University Professor Hansraj Suman emphasises on the fact that students need to focus on their class 12 marks as well. Inclusion of CUCET will not nullify the marks secured in the board examinations. This is specifically related to the fact that many universities give importance to both board exams and CUCET.
Professor Suman, a former member of the DU Academic Council, stated that the CUCET has become more important due to the supposed misuse of the marking in the class 12 board examinations by many schools with awarding excessive marks to the students.
On the other hand, while Professor Suman is in favour of rebuilding the entire admission process in Delhi University, he also highlighted the interests of the students coming from the marginalised and economically weaker sections of the society.
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