Tuesday is D-Day for CET seat matrix finalisation

The seat matrix and fee structure for this year’s Common Entrance Test (CET) would be finalised by February 22. Higher education minister VS Acharya is slated to meet representatives of private professional colleges. Representatives of COMED-K and minority institutions would also attend the meeting, said sources.

Representatives of private institutes are requesting a hike in fees. “The only demand from their side is an increase in fee for engineering courses. Otherwise, they are ready to continue with the previous year’s seat matrix and fee structure,” said an official.

However, chief minister BS Yeddyruappa has insisted that the fee structure remain the same. Therefore, the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) is considering alternatives such as giving government subsidy.

AICTE approval
“Private managements were not ready to attend the meeting. But due to a case that is scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court by February 21, they agreed to attend,” said an official.

Soon after the finalisation of seat matrix and fee structure, a KEA official is slated to visit New Delhi to get approval for the courses and seats from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). “Last year, we had to face problems because we started the counselling process before getting AICTE’s approval. This time, we have decided to get the approval before we start counselling,” said the official.