Single CET splits COMED-K

The state government’s idea of conducting a single Common Entrance Test (CET) for professional courses has finally led to a split in the Consortium of Medical, Dental and Engineering Colleges of Karnataka (COMED-K), the body of colleges offering professional courses and run by private managements.

Now, there are two entrance tests conducted in the state for admissions to engineering, medical and dental colleges—the CET by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) for seats in government institutions and for government quota seats in private institutions. The other is by COMED-K for filling seats in their member colleges which are run by private managements, which excludes the government quota seats, and for deemed universities.

After the state higher education minister Aravind Limbavali issued an invitation to the private professional colleges to come under KEA, several colleges are now contacting the authority to enquire about the facilities they would get if they did so. Limbavali has offered 10% of seats for non-Karnataka students in private professional colleges that come under the KEA. The details of those colleges would also be included in its brochure.