After more than two weeks of confusion and flip flops as to whether Meghalaya students would be exempted from the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), the clear picture has come today.
The Education Ministry has clarified that CUET would not be required for admission to under-graduate courses in colleges affiliated with the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Meghalaya for this academic year.
This was stated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today.
In the letter, Pradhan said the exemption was given for this academic year, considering the “geographical conditions, far-flung locations, limited digital connectivity, and infrastructure”.
“The affiliated colleges of NEHU will continue with the existing practice for admission instead of CUET,” the Union Education Minister said in the letter.
Meanwhile, Sangma has expressed gratitude to Pradhan for the exemption of CUET for students of Meghalaya.
“On behalf of the students of my State, I would like to express my gratitude to Hon’ble Minister @dpradhanbjp ji (Dharmendra Pradhan) for allowing colleges affiliated to NEHU to continue with existing practice for admission instead of #CUET (sic),” Sangma tweeted.
It may be mentioned that Sangma had on April 25 met Pradhan and sought the exemption of CUET for Meghalaya students seeking under-graduate courses in colleges within the State.
However, it is unclear as to whether the application paid by the students from Meghalaya for CUET would be refunded to them.
The application fee for General (unreserved) category is Rs 650. For OBC and EWS category candidates, the fee is Rs 600. For SC, ST and PwD candidates, the fee is Rs 550.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made CUET compulsory for admission to courses in all central universities, starting from this academic year. The test will be conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
CUET scores, and not Class 12 scores, will be mandatory for admission to 45 central universities and the central universities can fix their minimum eligibility criteria.
Meanwhile, the Achik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) has urged the State government to prepare students of higher secondary schools and colleges for CUET even if they are exempted from the test this year.
While expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma for his initiative and untiring persuasiveness for CUET exemption in Meghalaya, AHAM president George Prince Momin said that importance of CUET cannot be denied.
Pointing out that CUET exemption is temporary for under graduates, Momin said the government should now prepare students with a focus objective that the system, curriculum and teaching are all aim towards the preparedness towards CUET examination as well.
