TS CETs likely to be deferred as lockdown gets extended – Times of India

HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Council of Higher Education is planning to defer the post graduate engineering common entrance test (PGECET) and the engineering common entrance test (ECET) in view of extended lockdown and delay in holding the degree exams.

While the PGECET was scheduled from June 19 to June 22, the ECET was scheduled on July 1. Following a rise in Covid-19 cases, the TSCHE had postponed all the degree examinations in March, 2021. Subsequently, the government declared a statewide lockdown, resulting in further delays in holding the degree exams. Extension of the statewide lockdown by another 10 days till June 19 also adds to the restriction to conduct the PGECET.

“Since the degree exams have not been held as yet, we are planning to defer the PGECET and the ECET. Once the situation normalizes, the universities would first conduct the degree final year exams in the month of July following which we would schedule the PGECET and the ECET,” said an official from the higher education department.

An official approval from the government is awaited.

For the engineering, agriculture and medical common entrance test (Eamcet), the government is awaiting directions on the intermediate exams. “If the intermediate exams are cancelled, we can go ahead with the Eamcet as per schedule from July 5. However, if there is any further delay then we will have to reschedule the Eamcet as well,” said the official.

The TSCHE is likely to adopt last year’s mechanism to conduct degree admissions this year. “The degree admission notification will be issued by July. The admission schedule will be aligned with the common entrance tests,” said R Limbadri, vice-chairman, TSCHE.

The All India Council for Technical Education has asked colleges under its ambit to start the new academic cycle from September, which is a delay of two months. However, the University Grants Council is yet to make any announcement regarding the academic calendar for 2021-22.