Until recently, as per the guidelines of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for 2012-13, electronics and computer science subjects were not considered for eligibility for admissions to engineering courses.
On July 4, the Karnataka High Court directed the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) to consider electronics and computer science as technical vocational subjects. Now, marks in these two subjects will be taken into consideration for eligibility.
The judgment has given a ray of hope to many students across the State. Many electronics and computer science students who could not score 45 per cent in physics, chemistry and mathematics combination but had scored 45 per cent or more in the physics, mathematics, electronics or computer science combination have become eligible for engineering admission.
The Hindu EducationPlus spoke to students from various colleges to find out what they feel about the recent development.
Harsha K.V. (PCME), National College, Jayanagar, Bangalore
“I had less than 45 per cent in the physics, mathematics and chemistry combination. So I was not eligible for engineering admission. But the recent court order has brought a lot of relief to both me and my family. As my percentage of physics, mathematics and electronics combination is more than the required minimum, I can realise my dream of becoming engineer. The judgment has benefited many students like me who had lost hope.”
Nikhil T.M. (PCME), St. Joseph PU College, Bangalore
“The judgment in no way has affected me because I got the required percentage for engineering admission. But being an electronics student, I can understand the relief this judgement brought to my classmates. It will benefit a large number of students who had opted for electronics or computer science subjects.”
“The other good thing is that now electronics and computer science will be treated equally with other subjects.”
Syed Aatif Hashmi (PCMB), Sri Guru Independent Pre-University College, Gulbarga
For my PU course, I had not opted for electronics or computer science. But at the outset, I can see this judgment will have considerable impact on students’ subject selection criteria.
Those who do not like to study biology at the PU level can now safely go for electronics and computer sciences as a fourth paper. The timing of the judgment is debatable but not the content. It has brought a smile on the faces of many students and parents.
Mallikarjun Matmari (PCME), Sri Guru Independent Pre-University College, Gulbarga
The judgment has given a lot of push to both electronics and computer science students. In the previous years, many seats were vacant because the fact of the matter is that many could not score the required minimum marks. The High Court order has opened the door to those students who had actually scored marks but unfortunately those subjects were not considered for calculating the minimum eligibility. The other positive side of order is that this time less seats will be vacant.
Raj V. Jain (PCMC), Bellary Independent Pre-University College, Bellary
If somebody wants to pursue engineering as a career option he should have thorough knowledge of mathematics and computer science.
These two subjects are the backbone of engineering studies and students should learn them before getting into engineering. In my case I had decided to be an engineer, therefore I opted for the PCMC combination for my Pre-University studies but then I had the dilemma of whether to opt for biology as a fourth paper or not. Finally, I opted for PCMC and I am happy as I got the second rank in engineering.
Opting for computer science helped me concentrate and I focussed on my goal of becoming an engineer.
This judgment will reduce this dilemma of opting for biology or other papers as fourth subject.
Manasa Adiga (II year PCMC), Bellary Independent Pre-University College, Bellary
I am studying in II PUC and will write the Common Entrance Test (CET) in 2013. The recent order of the court will have a positive impact on students like me who are yet to write CET. The major impact is that now students will treat computer science as a major component of their CET preparation.
This judgment has brought equity and placed computer science on a par with other subjects. Also, the technical vocational subjects will have more takers in the coming days.
