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IITs may scrap unpopular courses due to increase in the number of vacant seats

Out of 10,998 seats in the 23 IITs, as many as 121 seats could not be filled even after seven rounds of counselling this year

Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) may soon scrap courses which are not popular among engineering aspirants and they refuse to take admission even after rounds of counselling. This issue to discontinue unpopular courses will be discussed  at a meeting of the Joint Admission Board (JAB) which will take place on August 20.

The step is being considered after increase in the number of students who did not take admission after seven rounds of counselling in most popular institutes. Out of 10,998 seats in the 23 IITs, as many as 121 seats could not be filled even after seven rounds of counselling. Last year the number of vacant seats was 96 whereas in 2015 it was 50.

The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry has asked the IITs to look at ways in order to address the situation, which also includes discontinuing unpopular courses.

Pradipta Banerji, professor at IIT Bombay said  “This is something we will see growing over a period of time — students will not run after IITs,”. He added that there is certainly a shift in the culture”.

“For instance, students may take the JEE Advanced exam to satisfy their parents and are likely to get good ranks, but they may then opt for something else, say English literature, which they want to do”, said Banerji. He suggested that IITs should reduce the intake instead of completely scrapping not so popular courses.

Also Read: Increase in number of girl students taking admission in IITs this year

Another IIT official on the condition of anonymity said that some of the students did not take admission in the IIT as they get admission in popular courses in other institutes.

Also Read: This IIT is the most favourite institute among JEE toppers

“As a special round counselling is going on in NITs, students prefer to opt for a good course, say in computer science, in NITs than an ordinary one in an IIT”.

(Source: Hindustan Times)

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