Common test: IIT alumni demands status quo on implementation

At a meeting here, the association also decided to form a lobby group and meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh objecting the move.

The association contended that HRD Minister Kapil Sibal did not keep his promise made to different stakeholders of not going ahead with the new format if there is even one dissent from the IIT senates.

"...And here 5 out of 7 senates have given their dissents in writing to Sibal but he still went ahead," president IIT Delhi Alumni Association Somnath Bharti.

The association also dismissed Sibal's assertion that there was complete support in the IIT council for the common entrance test under the new format, saying IIT council is an advisory body only while the senates enjoy the conclusive authority for admission process as per the IIT Act.

In a statement, the association said the senates should have the final say on the new pattern and can't be overridden by IIT council.

"PILs to be filed in various High Courts within a week," the statement said adding initiatives would be taken to get them heard by June 5 when central advisory board of education meets here.

While the new format seeks to give weightage to the class XII results under a two-tier format in deciding the merit list, the association underlined that the school marks should act as a cut off and not given any weightage. (MORE)