New Delhi: Students aspiring for a seat in one of the premier National Institutes of Technology (NITs) can get admissions this year even if their Class 12 score is less than 75 per cent, which has been a criterion so far.
Apart from clearing the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains, all they need is a passing certificate for Class 12, Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank announced Thursday.
“For admissions in NITs and other centrally funded technical institutions (CFTIs), apart from qualifying JEE Main, the eligibility is to secure a minimum of 75 percent marks in 12th board exams or rank among the top 20 percentile in their qualifying examinations,” the minister said. “Due to prevailing circumstances, Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) has decided to relax the eligibility criterion for admissions to NITs and other CFTIs.”
Those who have qualified in the JEE Mains 2020, he added, will now only need to obtain a passing certificate in Class 12 examination “irrespective of the marks obtained”.
📢Attention JEE Main aspirants!
For admissions in #NITs & other Centrally Funded Technical Institutions, apart from qualifying #JEE Main, the #eligibility is to secure a minimum of 75% marks in XII Board exams or rank among the top 20 percentile in their qualifying examinations.
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) July 23, 2020
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Cancellation of state board exams the reason
The eligibility criterion for JEE (Advanced), meant for admissions to the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), was also relaxed last week. The Joint Admission Board (JAB), which takes decisions on matters related to IIT admissions, decided that aspirants only need to qualify JEE (Advanced) and obtain passing percentage in Class 12.
The decision to relax Class 12 marks criterion for both IITs and NITs has been taken because of the cancellation of board exams in many states.
JEE Mains, which has been postponed twice, will now be conducted from 1-6 September, while JEE Advanced will be held on 7 September.
On Tuesday, the minister had also announced that the government will ensure that the dates for JEE Mains and the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam, which is scheduled for 6 September, do not clash.
I have received representations from many students regarding the clash of dates of #JEEMain with #NDA. The matter has been examined. Students appearing in JEE (Main), who could not update that they are also appearing in the NDA exam scheduled on 6th Sept, should not worry.
— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) July 21, 2020
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