Common entrance test for entry into Post Graduate courses of all the universities in Telangana appears to have been shelved with the universities reluctant to give up the authority fearing loss of revenue.
The idea of common entrance was mooted by Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari first in the Vice Chancellors Conference in October last year and the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) was asked to study the feasibility and take necessary steps.
Simplifying process
The Government’s aim was to simplify the admission process. After few months of interaction, the universities — Osmania and Kakatiya — that conduct the tests appear to be reluctant fearing loss of revenue in terms of entrance fee paid by the students. Thousands of students appear for both the entrance tests to get into PG courses and these universities would lose the revenue if the combined test was conducted by the TSCHE.
Money-spinner
As of now OU conducts the common test for OU, Palamuru University, Mahabubangar; Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda and Telangana University, Nizamabad.
Kakatiya University conducts the test separately for its courses and also Satavahana University, Karimnagar.
Unwilling universities
“Both the universities are unwilling to go for a common entrance test as they would lose crores of rupees every year. They don’t want to lose such a major revenue earner in the present circumstances when funds are drying up from the Government,” a senior official said.
TSCHE Chairman T. Papi Reddy, when contacted, said final decision is yet to be taken but agreed that universities are not keen.
Multiple tests
For example, for OUCET candidates pay ₹450 fee and an additional ₹250 for every other subject one wants to appear for.
Generally, 90 % of students appear for more than three subjects. Last year 81,000 students took the OUCET and the varsity earned around ₹3 crore from fees.
Similar is the case with Kakatiya University.
Spiralling expenses
Officials say universities are losing revenue from the distance courses already and snatching this would further hit their income even as the expenses are spiralling due to various factors.
On the other hand students would prefer a common entrance test as they would have to pay less and also escape writing multiple tests.
