Clarifying that his Ministry has no jurisdiction to increase the marks for appearing in the entrance examination unless the Indian Institute of Technology council takes such a decision, the minister said Government could not make any proposal to review the eligibility criteria.
Sibal made these remarks on Monday while reacting to reports that he has mooted minimum of 80 to 85 per cent marks in Class 12 exams for those wanting to take entrance test for IITs.
“The only decision that has been taken by the Indian Institute of Technology council is that the IITs will submit a report in January, 2010 to rationalise JEE. It is entirely in their hands to decide on the eligibility criteria. It is they who will consider how much weightage should be given to the 12 class examination”, he said.
Opposition
The reports also triggered a missive from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who opposed such a proposal saying that rural students would miss out if the eligibility criterion to appear in the examination is fixed so high.
Sibal responded by saying that his “concerns are unfounded as the alleged proposal is non-existent.” “How can I make a proposal on an issue on which I do not have any jurisdiction?” asked Sibal.
He also observed that the question of promoting students of elitist background and discriminating against students belonging to the weaker sections of society was entirely misconceived. “The Congress party has always stood for equity in all government process and decision-making. All examinations must and should be inclusive,” he said.