CUET doesn’t infringe upon rights of states: Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote to Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy, stating that the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) does not infringe upon the rights of the States and Union Territories and education being matter of Concurrent list enables the Central Government also to take measures for development of education in the country.

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on April 12 adopted a resolution tabled by Chief Minister M K Stalin urging the Centre to drop the test.

In a letter to the Education Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dharmendra Pradhan said, “As you are aware the National Education Policy 2020 has been finalised and issued after a detailed and highly participative consultation process with various stakeholders. National Policy on Education 1968 and National Policy on Education 1986, 1992 have been the guiding documents for the policies of the Central Government in the education sector. National Education Policy 2020 may be seen as a continuum of earlier education policies.”

“NEP 2020 emphasizes the regular formative assessment for learning rather than the summative assessment that encourages today’s ‘Coaching’ Culture. Hence, the Common University Entrance Test, CUET has been introduced in pursuance of the National Education Policy, 2020. Students may apply to more than one university as per their choice with one application form thereby reducing the financial burden and increasing access,” he added.