AICTE Asks MBA Institutions to Admit Students Based on Marks Obtained in Qualifying Examination

AICTE has asked post graduate diploma in management (PGDM) and MBA institutes to admit students based on the marks obtained in qualifying exams. The institute has taken this decision as all India tests such as CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAT, GMAT along with the 7th option of Common Entrance Test of the respective State are the qualifying tests for admission into PGDM course may not have been conducted due to the fear of spread of Coronavirus.

"In many of the States, some of the above entrance tests could not be conducted due to fear of spread of Corona
Virus and there is no indication as to whether these tests are postponed or likely to be held or cancelled," said AICTE.

AICTE has therefore asked PGDM and MBA institutes to prepare a merit list of the students in a transparent manner based on the marks obtained in qualifying examinations. “AICTE, being more a facilitator than a regulator considered alternative proposition through which selection of the students could be made for admission into PGDM course which will benefit both the Institutions as well as the students,” said AICTE in a notification.

Nevertheless, the first preference will be given to those candidates who have appeared in any of the entrance tests mentioned in the Approval Process Handbook (APH) 2020-21 published by the All India Council for Technical Education. If vacant seats are still available after this, candidates could be selected based on the merit in the qualifying undergraduate exams. The States may also use this relaxation while allotting seats through counselling, said AICTE.

However, this relaxation has been allowed only for this academic year owing to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic in the country.