Thiruvananthapuram, July 13
With engineering admissions in Kerala mired in controversy, a group of aggrieved students following the Kerala state syllabus is set to approach the Supreme Court, challenging the revised rank list prepared on the basis of the old normalisation formula as directed by the Kerala High Court.
The students, who had initially ranked high in the merit list, have seen dramatic drop in their positions and allege denial of equal justice in the admission process.
The student collective, which has been coordinating efforts via WhatsApp, is likely to file the petition in the apex court by Monday or Tuesday.
"We were waiting for a copy of the High Court order to initiate legal steps," said Ajas Muhammad, who leads the collective.
"What we will highlight in court is the denial of equal justice. Students who were among the toppers have dropped by thousands of ranks."
The revised rank list, published by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations following the High Court judgment, has caused widespread concern among students from the Kerala and ICSE syllabi.
Many have reported losing marks due to the reintroduction of the old normalisation formula.
Some students who secured full marks in their Plus Two board exams reportedly lost up to 27 marks in the final normalised score.
Complaints have also surfaced that students were not adequately informed about changes in subject weightages.
The High Court had earlier quashed the previous rank list, which was prepared using a new normalisation formula, and directed that a fresh list be published in accordance with the February prospectus.
Following this, the state government has announced that it will not challenge the judgment in the Supreme Court, prompting students to move independently.
Meanwhile, with the admission process now entangled in legal proceedings, the Kerala government is set to request the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for an extension of the admission deadline beyond August 14.
The first allotment based on option registration is scheduled for July 18, but uncertainty prevails over its implementation.
Last year, the AICTE had extended the admission deadline to September 18, and the state hopes for a similar extension this year.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a parent, my heart goes out to these students. The education system keeps changing rules like musical chairs. My nephew lost 23 marks in normalization - how is this fair? The government should take responsibility instead of leaving students to fight legal battles.
While I sympathize with students, we must also understand that normalization is needed to create level playing field between different boards. Maybe the implementation was flawed, but the concept itself isn't wrong. Hope SC finds balanced solution.
The real issue is our education system's obsession with marks and ranks. Why can't we focus on actual learning? These students are being traumatized by constant changes. India needs education reform urgently!
Typical government mess! First they implement new formula, then revert to old one after HC order. Now admissions delayed. My brother's future is hanging in balance. When will our system become more student-friendly? 😞
Kudos to these students for standing up for their rights! At least they're organized through WhatsApp and taking legal route. In our time, we would have just accepted injustice. Hope they get proper hearing in SC 🤞
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