CET may scrap preliminary round

BANGALORE: To further cut down on seat selection schedule and ensure classes begin on time, a proposal is being worked out to scrap preliminary round and directly hold admissions round for engineering, medical and dental courses from 2003-04.
With this, the CET cell hopes to complete seat selection process in 45 days as against three months now. Many a time, the schedule is further delayed because of addition of seats.
In the preliminary round this year, the CET cell first took up engineering seats followed by medical and dental seats, though simultaneous seat selection was contemplated in the admission round.Anticipating additional medical and dental seats, the cell, however, postponed the medical round to September 13.
``Many a time, the process delays the start of academic year. With the semester system in place, colleges want us to cut down on the schedule,'''' sources told The Times of India.
Increase in candidates and professional seats has resulted in the schedule getting lengthier every year. Besides, parents and candidates are forced to attend seat selection process twice or thrice. ``This is especially problematic for students from far-off places. Money and time thus spent can be reduced,'''' the sources said.
The CET committee at its August 12 meeting discussed these issues and suggested scrapping of preliminary round. Vacant seats, arising out of cancellation or surrendered seats, along with additional ones, can be offered in the casual vacancy round.
``Candidates can select seats in the admission round and those attempting a change can go to the casual round, instead of appearing twice or thrice as is done now,'''' they said.
A proposal in this regard will be placed before the government for approval and amendments.