KEAM: Unnecessary haste led to backlash

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three ministers had expressed serious concerns in the cabinet meeting about introducing rank list reforms this year. Nevertheless, the government proceeded hastily with a new mark normalisation formula. The Engineering Entrance Rank List itself was later cancelled by the court. What was intended as a move to support state syllabus students has effectively ended up being an insult to them.

If state syllabus students approach the court challenging the rank list revision, the allotment process will be delayed further. Both students and parents are now under extreme mental stress.

Minister Dr. R. Bindu took a firm stand, insisting that justice must be ensured for state syllabus students. The department argued that changes can be made at any stage, even after the prospectus is issued. However, the Supreme Court had made it clear that no amendment to the prospectus should harm even a single student. The government seemed to have overlooked this, which backfired.

Meanwhile, there is no legal hurdle for a reform that ensures equal benefits for all students. The recommendation from the expert committee — that the new method should not be implemented hastily — was also ignored. Fearing another setback in the Supreme Court, the government withdrew without filing an appeal.

Many students will not get their desired courses
The complete change in the rank list was a huge blow to state syllabus students. Some students dropped more than 1,000 ranks. For example, a student who was ranked 8th in the initial list was pushed back to 185th place. The new 5th, 6th, 9th, and 10th rank holders were not even in the top 10 earlier. The students who had previously held the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th ranks didn’t make it to the new list at all. As a result, many students won’t get admission into the colleges or courses they had hoped for. Those who miss out on government college seats will now have to opt for self-financing institutions and pay double or more in fees.

AICTE has directed that admissions be completed by August 14. The Entrance Commissioner has requested a one-month extension.

Engineering seats
Total seats: 54,070
Allotted by Entrance Commissioner: 35,353

Total colleges: 141
Government seats: 7,136
Entrance Commissioner's allotment: 6,767

Government-controlled colleges: 8,906
Entrance Commissioner's allotment: 8,464

Seats in self-financing colleges: 38,028
Entrance Commissioner's allotment: 20,122

"A new formula will be implemented from the next academic year. Justice must be ensured for all students."
– Dr. R. Bindu, Minister for Higher Education