Dear Aspirants !!
In recent time due to some of media reports, many of you asked multiple questions to us. If we summarize all the questions below are the two fundamental questions you asked.
1. Is National Eligibility Test going to be canceled for the month of June/July 2017?
2. How to view this new announcement in Budget speech of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley?
So before we move ahead with the 1st question lets have some discussion and find out some reasonable answer to the 2nd question.
Basic Understanding:
To begin with we congratulate Finance Minister for bringing the tradition back to present budget In beginning of February. According to Article 112 of the Constitution of India, The Union Budget of India is being referred as the annual Financial Statement of the Republic of India.
The process outlined as, the presented budget has to be discussed in the house, after the General Discussion on the budget as a whole it goes to respective standing committee (Rule 331G) for consideration of Demands for Grants.
Once Standing Committee introduce the report to house the house again proceed with discussion and voting on Demands for Grants, it has to be passed by the house and come in to effect on 1st April (Start of Financial Year).
So with this understanding we may conclude whatever proposed under budget 2017-18 may come to an effect only on 1st April 2017. (Note: The reports of the Standing Committees are of persuasive nature, Rule 331N)
What is in it for us in respect to our subject matter?
The budget presented in February is vital in many ways, as a welcome move the budget outlined some firm scope for higher education in line with focusing on energizing youth and creating jobs.
The budget also suggested introducing some reforms for
University Grants Commission (UGC), suggesting
CBSE to focus more on academy instead conducting examination. From this statement of Finance Minister on budget the 1st question above arises.
The finance minister advocated “Greater autonomy will be provided to major institutes." & "UGC will be reformed for higher education." This is certainly a welcome move for a bright future of the nation.
A National Testing Agency to be introduced for conducting major entrance examinations freeing CBSE from conducting examination. Further more the budget also allocated additional fund for academic in 2017-2018.
So with this new welcome move, if we try to find answer to our question above:
a. A separate National Testing Agency is surely a beneficial move as we all understand CBSE is loaded with so many exams and losing focus from academics.
b. CBSE to be free from entrance exams and allowed it to function for its core work.
c. More autonomy to educational institutions will surely bring a positive competitive trend which will ultimately accelerate the quality of education.
d. With being introduction of new National Testing Agency, possibility can’t be over ruled in terms of pattern, syllabus of examinations but at this point of time it’s merely a prediction with no substance.
Answer to Question No 1:
Coming to the 1st question:
As of NOW there is no official announcement either from CBSE/UGC to postpone the Jun/Jul National Eligibility Test, means the status-quo is intact and we should continue with our preparation.
If at all we find any official announcement from CBSE/UGC or proposed National Testing Agency in future after 1st April we may review and re-plan our preparation.
We will keep an eye on further development in this regards and review our plan accordingly with time.
For now the conclusion is:
1. No official announcement is made in regards to cancelling NET June/July 2017
2. Proposal made under Budget 2017-18 are welcome move for the greater benefit of higher education.
3. We will be moving with our plan to start preparation from 15th March 2017
4. If any changes happen in future, we look it as an opportunity in terms of time at least.
Let's be optimistic for grater positive changes in academic sector in the upcoming years with these new suggested changes.