Image used for representational purpose. (File photo)
BENGALURU: The Common Entrance Test (CET) 2018 for admission to undergraduate professional courses in the state is likely to be advanced by a week due to upcoming Assembly elections.
Official sources at Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) said preliminary discussions in this regard were held at the meeting conducted at KEA office on Monday, where authorities of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Visvesvaraya Technological University and representatives of Medical Education and Higher Education departments were present.
“We need to write to the state government before taking a final decision. However, we are planning to advance the exams by at least a week as the elections are likely to be held during the first week of May 2018,” said a KEA official.
The CET exams are generally held during first week of May every year, mostly before May 5. This time, it may be conducted in the third week of April. “As soon as we get the government’s nod, students will be informed about the exam dates,” the official added.
Meanwhile, officials of the state’s Medical Education Department have also decided to communicate to the CBSE to consider the election dates in the state before finalising the dates for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2018 for admission to undergraduate medical courses. Soon, they will be writing to both the CBSE and authorities at the Union government in this regard.
No change in PUC and SSLC exam schedules
The Board exams for Second Year Pre-University Course (PUC) and Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) will be held as per the schedule. “The draft timetable for both the exams is almost ready and the same will be announced by November 15. We have already written to Election Commission about our exam dates to avoid any confusion in the future,” said Tanveer Sait, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education. “As per our information, the notification for Assembly elections in the state is likely to be out during the second week of March and we aim to complete the PUC exams by then,” Sait added. The Minister also clarified that there is no question of clubbing both SSLC and PUC exams,” the minister added.
Exams to be over in about two weeks
While PU exams are generally held for 25 to 27 days, they may be held for only 15 to 16 days from this academic year. The department has decided to intimate the Election Commission about the exam centres and evaluation centres as many of them are used as polling stations and counting stations during the polls.
