Flooded with requests from candidates qualifying the NIFT entrance examination for change in the centres, the Textile Ministry has asked the prestigious apparel design and production training centre to change its admission policy.     

"We have asked them (NIFT), if we can change the admission policy. We get a lot of requests.. Person in Chennai has to go to North-East. I would like it to do like IITs. The students should have options based on their marks," Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran told PTI.     

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - F&O Outlook: Nifty may break 4,250 support next week - TextileMin to infuse Rs 1,600 cr into Cotton Corp - F&O Outlook: Nifty likely to remain range-bound today - Nifty likely to remain range-bound today - Sensex snaps 3-day losing streak - Use close to money spreads

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Markets end flat - Turbulence ahead for airlines despite oil price drop - Weak rupee may bring cheer to NRIs, expats - LIC buys PSU stocks, sells pvt sector blue-chips in Q4 - Banks may lower deposit rates as inflation eases: Report More

In the existing system, "There is no choice even if you are on top. If you want Mumbai, they will give you Delhi," Maran said.     

On the expansion plans for NIFT, Maran has written to all the Chief Ministers to send their requests for new centres, which would be opened on "first-come-first-serve" basis.     

NIFT has 100-150 students in each of the 12 centres in New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Rae Bareli, Bhopal, Kannur (Kerala), Patna and Shillong.

Maran, however, vouched for the transparency in the admission process.      

"They have an independent board managing it. So far, there has been no controversy regarding admission", he said.     

Though the minister has sought requests from all the states to open new NIFT centres, he would like the training college to be located near the textile hubs.     

Under the proposal, a state has to provide land for building along with Rs 58 crore, if it wants a NIFT centre.     

The $63-billion textile industry employs 35 million people. It suffers from the skill shortages in the areas of designing and production.     

Opening of new training colleges would not lead to a glut in the job market in the industry, Maran said.

New Ipad Application :Business Standard's all new IPad App Click here to download for free Other Stories      - Markets end flat - Turbulence ahead for airlines despite oil price drop - Weak rupee may bring cheer to NRIs, expats - LIC buys PSU stocks, sells pvt sector blue-chips in Q4 - Banks may lower deposit rates as inflation eases: Report

Tags : NIFT | Textile Ministry | IIT | Dayanidhi Maran   Read Business news in  Advertisements -  Journey on, We are by Your Side. Click here to know more -  Benefits Upto Rs. 2.36 Lakhs on the Fully Loaded TJet Petrol. -  The Best Seller is Also the No. 1 in Mileage. Click here -  Watch The Film Here. Click here to know more.. -  Leader in Passenger Car & Automobile Tyres. Click here -  1 billion in saving for Unilever without any tangles. -  Learn How One City is Running on FOOD SCRAPS. -  One Partnership Endless Possibilities. Click here to know more -  Helping doctors detect diseases earlier, saving costs & extending lives. -  36 Lakhs can get you a pool of Luxuries. Click here -  Which is the best plan for your daughter -  Check out the TRUE COLOURS of your Stocks, Now for FREE! -  One of the leading business schools in the world.Know More