NTS to conduct most CBSE entrance exams including NEETI for Engg from 2018

Beginning 2018, the National Testing Service(NTS) will be responsible for conducting most of the tests organised by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The agency will also launch the National Entrance Examination for Technical Institution (NEETI) for engineering admissions early next year.

Besides Class 10th and 12th Board exams, CBSE also conducts exams like JEE Main, NEET, UGC NET, CTET and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya entrance exam. While the professional exams are taken by approximately 40 lakh students, the Board exams are held for more than 27 lakh students each year.

An official was quoted as saying, "The focus is on scientific professional online standardised examination and not the numbers. The ministry wants to declutter CBSE and the Indian Institutes of Technology so that they can focus on their key areas. The ministry wants CBSE to focus on the quality of school education, curriculum and set standards", reported a national daily.  

Having majority of CBSE's major entrance under its ambit, NTS is expected to evolve as the largest exam conducting body in India. CBSE, nevertheless, will be critically involved in the creation of NTS. If reports are to be believed, the Board will be NTS's resource centre.

The tests to be conducted by NTS will not be outsourced to any private agency. Kendriya Vidyalayas and engineering colleges across the country with good computer laboratory facilities will be roped in for the same.

NEETI will be the single entrance exam for engineering college admissions from 2018 approved by AICTE and MHRD. To be held multiple times in a year, the exam will likely be conducted in Dec-Jan, March and May.

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AICTE is also considering a national level Exit Exam for BTech Grads to test employability.