In a significant move to reduce the burden of entrance tests on the students, a committee of vice-chancellors of Central Universities (CUs) has recommended to initiate Common Entrance Test (CET) for admissions to Post Graduate (PG), M.Phil and Ph..D Courses across 42 Central Universities (CUs) established by Govt. of India. The committee suggested that the same can be implemented to undergraduate level courses if the model works well for PG and Research Courses.

Another panel looking into the establishment of Nava Ratna Universities- an Indian variant of Ivy League varsities has recommended more autonomy and freedom to the proposed institutions. It sought direct funding from the Central government, freedom to fix salary, fee structure and reward system to faculty in these institutions. The Committee was set up by HRD minister Kapil Sibal last year. It suggested that the admission to all 42 Central Universities in the country should be based on a single common entrance test and performance in graduate examinations in the ratio of 70:30. Candidate’s marks in the first two years of graduation would be factored.

Scheme of the Test: The committee suggested that the entrance test will consist of two sections: 1. Scholastic Aptitude 2. Knowledge of Subject. The universities will have their own interviews for M.Phil and Ph.D Courses and they can decide weightage for interview, but it should not be more than 40 percent in any case. The committee proposed the entrance test should be conducted on rotation basis by Central Universities and an experts committee shall formulate the test every year.

Following are the snippets of recommendations:

1. Entry into Post Graduate courses should be based on performances in entrance test and in the qualifying / graduate examination. This should be in 70:30 ratio.

2. The entrance test shall contain questions on scholastic aptitude and knowledge of the concerned subject selected by the candidate for admission. These questions will be in the ratio of 40:60 weightage. That means 40 percent weightage for Scholastic Aptitude and 60 percent weightage for Subject.

3. In case of M.Phil and Ph.D course, the entrance test could be similar to the National Eligibility Test for Junior Research Fellowship conducted by the UGC.
4. Universities with special character / historical reasons could have their own admission process and free to lay down rules for themselves.

Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore is inviting applications for Project Oriented Chemical Education (POCE) and Project Oriented Biological Education (POBE) for the year 2011 as part of its Science Outreach Programme. The programmes are offered for 6-8 weeks during summer. Interested candidates can download application forms from the website www.jncasr.ac.in. The number of fellowships for each programmes will be 10 and selected candidates will get Rs. 6000 as scholarship / stipend per month. This is an excellent opportunity for B.Sc. Graduates to gain experience in quality research and increase their potential. Following are other details:

1. Project Oriented Chemical Education POCE 2011: Eligibility: Candidates should be studying B. Sc first year (PCM); Number of fellowships: 10; Students selected should work at the Centre for three consecutive periods of 6-8 weeks in their mid semester vacations. After the successful completion of the programme at the end of 3 years, the students will get Diploma in Chemistry from JNCASR. They are also eligible for admissio to MS / PhD programme of the Centre based on their performance in the interview.

2. Project Oriented Biological Education (POBE) 2011: Eligibility: Candidates should have studying first year B.Sc. (Preferably with Biology as a subject). No. of Fellowships is 10. All other procedures and terms are same as above. Those completed the programme of 6-8 weeks continuously for 3 years shall be eligible to get Diploma in Biology. They are also eligible for MS/ Ph.D. Programmes of the JNCASR after interviews.

Application forms should be accompanied by two confidential reports from the Referees and also attested copies of statement of marks.

Address to contact and get application form: The Assistant Coordinator, Fellowships and Extension Programmes, JNCASR, Jakkur, Bangalore- 560064.

Important Dates:

1. Last date for receiving written request for application by post: 21 February 2011
2. Last date for download of Application form: 28 February 2011
3. Last date for submission of filled in application forms: 7th March 2011.