The History of BITS Admissions

By The Sandpaper 2.0 Team

Admissions to BITS, Pilani have always been done purely on the basis of merit, with no reservation of any kind. Till 1972, merit was based on the total marks obtained in the qualifying examination; the subjects considered being Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM) for engineering. This system was also followed by Delhi College of Engineering and most regional engineering colleges.

From 1970 to 1980, several changes were introduced including the integrated curriculum, Practice School and the Dual Degree Programs. Indian schooling also changed to the 10+2+4 system.  BITS moved to four year degree programs instead of five years. BITS also moved to pre-assigned admissions, which was strongly favored by the student community. In 1972, BITS introduced a new admissions policy, admitting its students on the basis of normalized percentage of marks.

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Admissions – The Issues & The Alternatives

By The Sandpaper 2.0 Team

We’d like to make a point about the normalization system before we examine the issues.  It is a purely merit based, transparent system that has been appreciated by many, including the honorable Supreme Court.  Dr. Raghurama says “Many institutions wanted to follow the normalization procedure abandoning their existing entrance tests since they found many problems with the tests. In fact, some institutions have started following the normalization procedure”.

The system clearly aims at fairness. This means that all Board toppers in India, irrespective of their actual marks, are admitted to Pilani every year.  It is quite interesting that BITS gets 16-17 Board toppers every year, clearly to its advantage in attracting the best student from every state in India.

However, the problem is that the system works in theory, but no longer in practice. Here’s why.

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Reminiscences By Dr. Meera Bannerji

With Madhurja Banerjee (’01 Instru)

More than 35 years, ago, after going through a harrowing set of physical endurance tests and other examinations for the post of the NCC officer of the Women’s Wing of NCC cadets at the University, I finally tasted the bitter-sweet fruit of success. Bitter because the experience was physically challenging especially for a person leading a quiet, sedate life. And sweet because I was selected as the only candidate out of 200 aspirants. I was faced with a difficult choice. Go to Gwalior for the NCC training and plunge into new profession. Or to go to Pilani to join my husband!!

I finally decided on Pilani.  I had simply, irrevocably fallen in love with the place, with its big and small inconveniences and inaccessibility, a new way of life, new surroundings, the velvety, lush green lawns and the bountiful earth.

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