50% marks in Inter may not be must for Eamcet

HYD: The state government might go back on its decision to make 50 per cent marks in Intermediate examinations mandatory for engineering college admissions. While All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) handbook states that the 50 per cent rule should be introduced from Eamcet 2011, the higher education department is planning to write to AICTE asking them for an exemption.

According to officials of higher education department, the state is planning to introduce the rule only from 2012. Officials said that exemption will be sought by stating that the rule is being opposed by student unions.

"For the past many years students were being allowed to take admissions if they got 35 per cent marks in Intermediate. The state has already given 25 per cent weightage for Inter marks in Eamcet rank calculation and hence the department might ask for an exemption from the rule," an official said.

According to the new rule all open category students opting for admissions in engineering colleges should secure 50 per cent marks in Intermediate examinations. In the case of SC and ST candidates, 45 per cent marks in intermediate is mandatory for engineering admissions.

Officials from the state had in fact visited AICTE office in New Delhi on February 4 demanding the director, S S Mantha to release specific orders to implement the 50 per cent rule. However, AICTE officials issued just a vague statement asking the state "to refer to instructions in their handbook".

"The handbook states that 50 per cent rule should be made mandatory for admissions but the state government wanted a direct order from AICTE in writing. Since we have not received any clear cut instructions from AICTE, we are thinking of continuing with the present rule," an official explained.

Source: Times Of India