A countrywide test for admission to undergraduate courses in central universities is though apparently a way forward for transparency in admissions for undergraduate courses in central universities of the country but all depends on the procedure and process of such an entrance test. Authority to central universities to decide on their own the criteria for including certain percentage of marks secured by candidates in the 12th class examination in the final merit of the candidates is the most attractive part of the common university entrance test (CUET) declared mandatory for admission to undergraduate courses in central universities. So due weightage to schooling career of the students for admission to undergraduate courses in central universities does not only address the genuine concerns of the students but it also shows respect to the autonomy of central universities in the country. Yet another interesting part of the admission policy for admission to undergraduate courses is that since National Education Policy had called for a “high quality aptitude test” and “specialist common subject examinations” for admission to undergraduate courses in central universities, the sudden announcement of a new admission policy for undergraduate courses in central universities shows tendency of some modifications and more reforms in the National Education Policy. It hardly matters whether people call such decisions reforms or modifications in the National Education Policy but what matters is the consent of the stakeholders in decisions concerning admissions and conduct of examinations for the students of all levels.
What demands more attention than admissions and examinations is the infrastructure and manpower policy in higher education? Though centrality of higher education lies in it’s suitability to research and employment but greater focus on both research and employment is missing in higher education.
Concerns won’t have bee raised if the vice chancellors of the central universities would have been taken on board before announcing the common entrance tests for undergraduate courses in central universities of the country. In the end the education is connected with the aspirations of the youth as future belongs to them and interest of youth in higher education is rising unprecedentedly year after year. Enrollment in higher education is not an issue of concern the way it is a concern in school education as the tendency of enrollment in higher education is increasing fast year after year. Keeping in view the rising tendency of youth in higher education the interest of students in higher education deserves greater respect and acknowledgment. What demands more attention than admissions and examinations is the infrastructure and manpower policy in higher education? Though centrality of higher education lies in it’s suitability to research and employment but greater focus on both research and employment is missing in higher education.
