Maharashtra wants centralised CET to be postponed by 2 years

The state government has asked the Centre to postpone by two years the centralisation of the common entrance test (CET) for Std XII students aspiring to pursue a degree in medicine.

In its proposal sent to the central government, it has demanded that the syllabus for Std XI and XII students across the country be made uniform.

Medical education minister Dr Vijaykumar Gavit announced in the state assembly on Tuesday that his department has sent a proposal to the central government, requesting it to start the centralised CET from 2013.

He said that the number of seats in the state will remain unchanged even after the CET is centralised. 

“It will help students from the state if the Std XI and XII syllabus across the country is standardised. The examination will be held by the central government, but the state government will retain the right of the merit list,” he said.

Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP alleged that the CET syllabus is higher in standard than the state syllabus, and so students find it difficult to cope.

“They are forced to enroll for tuitions for the CET because of this discrepancy. If the central government does not standardise the syllabus, it will be difficult for students from our state to face national-level competition,” he added.

Speaker Dilip Walse Patil suggested that the state government conduct a meeting to discuss the centralised CET.