GATE-like Test for Students with Correspondence Engineering Degrees?
- IASE Deemed University, Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation, JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University have been conducting distance learning courses without mandatory approvals.
- A GATE-like exam will be introduced to check the capabilities of the students of these varsities.
A couple of days after Supreme Court cancelled engineering degrees (granted since 2001) by three deemed universities through correspondence or distance education mode, the Ministry of Human Resource and development convened a meeting with the University Grants Commission with an objective to protect the interests of hundreds of students who might be affected by the move.
IASE Deemed University (Rajasthan), Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation (Tamil Nadu) and JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University (Udaipur) have been conducting distance learning courses without mandatory approvals from AICTE or UGC.
AICTE is now planning to conduct an aptitude test for students who receive degrees from the three universities (as mentioned above) between 2001 and 2005. The test will be similar to the pattern of GATE and qualifying in this exam will validate the degrees of students of these three deemed universities. Currently, HRD Ministry is in the process of contemplating on the exam and the final decision will be taken as per Supreme Court’s directive.
Also Read: - Institutes Should Not Offer Technical Education through Correspondence: Supreme Court
On November 3, 2017, the Supreme Court of India cancelled the degrees awarded through distance learning by three deemed universities. The apex court further directed these universities to refund the tuition fee and other expenditure incurred by students.
A senior official associated with AICTE mentioned that they are busy in examining the court’s order and the modalities of the GATE-like exam will be formulated soon. An official notification will be issued on the same after the final decision.
AICTE had informed that engineering or technical institutes across the country are not authorised to offer engineering courses in correspondence or distance learning mode.