Proposal to Integrate Board Marks into Engineering and Medical Admissions
A nine-member panel constituted by the Ministry of Education has recommended that Class 12 board exam marks account for up to 50% in admissions to engineering and medical colleges through JEE and NEET. The proposal is part of a broader set of suggestions aimed at reducing the high-stakes nature of entrance examinations.
The panel, formed earlier this year, submitted its report to the ministry on Wednesday. According to sources, the recommendation seeks to balance the weight of board performance with entrance test scores, potentially reshaping the admission process for premier institutions like IITs, NITs, and AIIMS.
Details of the Recommendation
Under the proposed model, the weightage of Class 12 marks could range from 30% to 50% in the final admission score. The exact percentage would be decided after further consultation with stakeholders, including state boards and central universities. The panel also suggested that the normalization of board marks across different boards be done using a percentile-based system to ensure fairness.
Currently, JEE Main and NEET UG scores are the sole criteria for admission to undergraduate engineering and medical programs, with board marks only used as eligibility thresholds. The change would mark a significant shift in the admission policy.
Impact on Students and Institutions
If implemented, the move would reduce the pressure on students to perform exclusively on a single entrance exam. It would also give greater importance to consistent academic performance over two years of Class 11 and 12. However, concerns have been raised about the variability in marking standards across different state boards, which could affect equity.
The panel has proposed a common normalization formula to address this, similar to the one used for JEE Main percentile calculations. The ministry is expected to seek public feedback before finalizing any changes.
Background and Next Steps
The panel was set up following a directive from the Ministry of Education to review the examination system and suggest reforms. The recommendations are in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which advocates for a holistic and less stressful assessment system.
Ministry officials said the report will be examined by a committee of experts before any decision is taken. No timeline has been announced for implementation, but sources indicated that the changes could be introduced from the academic session starting in 2027.
