The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), which conducts the Common Entrance Test for professional courses, has decided to slash the fees.
The KEA will also set up document verification centres in all 30 districts of the state, in order to bring down the number of students visiting the main office.
At a meeting chaired by Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda, Medical Education Minister E Tukaram and senior KEA officials, a decision was taken to make the CET procedure smoother this year.
“Last year, we had 14 document verification centres, but now we have decided to set up one centre in every district. As the counselling process is already online, students need not come to our main office,” Girish, executive director, KEA, told DH.
The meeting also decided to slash the CET fee, and to give 50% relaxation for girl students.
“Earlier, the CET fees was Rs 650. From this year, the fee will be Rs 500 and for students belonging to SC/ST category, it will be Rs 250. For the first time, we have decided to give 50% relaxation for girl students too. They will also pay Rs 250,” Girish said.
The department of Youth Services and Sports had asked KEA to reduce the number of games preferred for sports quota from 60 to 32, but the meeting decided not to change anything. “We will consider all 60 games for sports quota,” Girish said.