The Joint Admission Board (JAB) of IITs has brought a good news for the foreign students, who wish to study at the IITs in India. The board has decided to allow the students from the nine countries namely - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Singapore, the UAE and Ethiopia to skip the JEE (Main) exams and directly appear for the JEE (Advanced) exams. The foreign students need not write JEE Main exam in order to be eligible to write JEE Advanced, whereas Indian students have to appear for JEE main in order to qualify for JEE advanced.
"The idea has been approved in-principle. Each IIT will also ratify it and the IIT council will approve it next week," an official told Times of India. He further mentioned that this was being done to reflect India's soft power and this would in no way disturb the seats meant for Indians.
What is the reason for allowing students of 9 countries to write JEE Advanced?
Allowing the students of the nine countries mentioned above to study at the IITs in India has a purpose, which is to place the IITs among the top international educational institutions. Another official was quoted saying that the key parameters taken into account during all international rankings are international students. The IITs could not make it to the top even though they score well on other parameters.
The official also revealed that seats will be given to the foreign students under the supernumerary category. IIT-Bombay will implement the programme.
Where will the examination centres be set?
Exam centres will be set up in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Singapore, the UAE and Ethiopia. Due to the objection of home ministry, Pakistan has not been included. Justifying the decision to include Ethiopia, Gautam Biswas, director of IIT-Guwahati, told that the institute has been receiving more number of students from Ethiopia for PG courses and IITs are popular among Ethiopian students.
The reason behind choosing students from the UAE is that people of different countries live in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These students from the above mentioned nine countries have to bear the cost of their admissions and the government will not bear any cost. The students coming from foreign lands would enjoy the same facilities enjoyed by the Indian students.