IIT Council turns down HRD's plan to scrap JEE (Advanced)

New Delhi: In a major setback to HRD Ministry, the IIT council on Monday turned down the contentious proposal, backed by the Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry, to bring in changes in the exam system for JEE Advanced. The proposal was to reform the JEE and do away with the JEE Advanced, which is the gateway to secure admissions to the IITs.

The decision in this regard was taken at the 52nd meeting of the Council of IITs held on Monday under the chairmanship of Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Another key decision taken at the meeting was that IIT - PAL which is designed to the students in preparing for the JEE Advanced exam would be further extended, and would be made available through the SWAYAM portal.

It was also decided at the meeting that IITs will mentor at least 5 engineering colleges located in their vicinity in order to improve the quality and standard of engineering education in the country.

"It was also decided that tuition fee for undergraduate students in IITs will not be revised. As far as International students are concerned, the Boards of Governors of the individual IITs will decide the fee," the ministry said in its official release.

The release further said that IITs will also organise an annual tech-fest demonstrating various innovations and technologies developed by them at any suitable venue with participation from CEOs from leading public/private sector organizations.

The issue of vacant seats in the MTech programmes in IITs due to the student joining PSUs after being admitted would be taken up in a meeting with the CMDs of major PSUs to be held under the chairmanship of the HRD Minister, it said.