Maharashtra govt seeks educational boards' views on CET syllabus

MUMBAI: In what could come as a relief for non-state board class X students, Maharashtra government sought suggestions from educational boards on Common Entrance Test (CET) syllabus. Optional CET slated for August 21 will be key for class XI admissions in the state.
The syllabus, comprising of 25 marks each from English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science, will have multiple choice questions based on 10th Std curriculum of the state board. As Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council of Indian School Certificate Education (CISCE), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge Assessment and International Examinations (CAIE) students compete with state board counterparts in class XI admissions, they too are keen on taking the test. But as one or more CET subjects were optional in class X for non-state board students, they are at a disadvantage in scoring high.
After an ICSE student approached Bombay HC seeking cancellation of the state's May 28 GR on offline CET, the court asked the state if a separate syllabus for CBSE and ICSE students appearing for CET was possible. The court suggested setting up of a committee of boards to prepare a common paper that would have subjects opted by students of boards. The state education department on Thursday held a meeting via video-conference with boards. State additional chief secretary (school education) Vandana Krishna has written to them seeking suggestions on setting the CET question paper. The state has to file its reply to court on August 4. Online registration for CET is on.