Bengaluru: The idea to make CET performance as the criteria for admission to B.Sc. course has been dropped, said Deputy Chief Minister and Higher Education Minister, Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan.

Addressing the media after the meeting with the Vice-Chancellors with regard to academic activities here yesterday, he clarified that the idea to make CET marks as the parameter for admission to B.Sc. course has been dropped. 

Earlier, it was said, in view of the cancellation of the Second PU examination, the Department of Higher Education had been mulling to make CET marks as the basis for admission to the B.Sc. course. 

“Apart from this, matters related to finding ways to accommodate the number of students whose number will be increased for the degree courses, implementation of E-Office software were also discussed”, he added. 

Start degree courses

The State Varsities have been asked to act towards starting the undergraduate courses from the current academic year, as per National Education Policy. This year, the number of students seeking admission will increase as the 2nd PUC examination is cancelled. If the Universities start 4-year Undergraduate courses, that will help to accommodate more students and it is also an opportunity at the right time for varsities to initiate this, he added.

New software to go on trail from June 25

The Unified University College Management System, a web portal-based software developed by the Department of e-Office has been given permission to go on a trial run from June 25. Keeping in mind the calendar of events, it has been decided to dedicate ‘The Unified University College Management System’ by July 15 and to facilitate this, the trial will be conducted. The Institutions concerned must be ready by that time, he noted,

The Minister also directed all VCs to do all correspondences with the Government only through ‘e-Office’ mode and said it has been made mandatory to implement e-Office. 

The calendar of academic activities for the next two years has already been set earlier, and Vice-Chancellors have been asked, whether to continue as per the schedule or required any changes. 

The Vice-Chancellors have been asked to begin the admission for the first-year degree courses in the first week of October as per the calendar.

It was discussed in the meeting about conducting semester exams that are pending because of Covid.