JNU authorities have roped in the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct the varsity newly introduced online examinations. In another initiative the authorities have decided to double the number of centres so that the candidates especially belonging to remote areas should not face any trouble.
Mock test centres will also be introduced to make candidates familiar with the online tests. In its 148th academic council meeting, the university authority also announced that in 2019-2020 admissions nearly 1080 M.Phil and Ph.D seats will be offered for enrollment. Last year 720 research seats were on offer for admission.
Meanwhile the JNU Entrance Exam otherwise referred to as JNUEE, which was supposed to be held on December 27-30, has been postponed ‘Keeping in view the difficulties of students to write the examination in December,’ the varsity has decided to conduct the online test in May 2019.
In a statement, Registrar Pramod Kumar said, “The 148th Academic Council of JNU, in its meeting held on December 7, decided to hold the computer-based JNU Entrance Examination, 2019-20 in May, 2019, keeping in view the difficulties of students to write the examination in December. The Vice-Chancellor informed members of the Council that the National Testing Agency (NTA) has agreed to conduct the Computer-based JNU Entrance Examinations”.
JNU is the first Central University to have associated with the NTA, which is in its first year of authority as well. In October, the university had said that it is in the process of hiring a private vendor for managing the centres where the exams will be conducted.
“This mammoth online exercise, to churn out the brightest lots, will be the biggest deciding factor this year as the students’ union has been vehemently opposing its implementation. It ‘negates a comprehensive evaluation of analytical, writing and other skills which are so very necessary, particularly in humanities and social sciences”,’ JNUSU President had said.
A 12-member committee was formed in March this year to discuss on the change in the mode of exam.