IIT-JEE 2017: Apex court verdict may force revised ranks, fear students

Hyderabad: The decision by the Supreme Court to stay admission into IITs and institutions that use JEE Advanced scores as a criteria for admission has come as a shocker to many students and parents.

Mr Ananda Raman, FIIT-JEE director, says, “Although it is a welcome step for students who performed well, it will affect a number of other students. It is the first time that there is such a great variation in the grace marks awarded and so many students couldn’t achieve their dream ranks. I have received calls from students who opted for branches in IIT and did not apply elsewhere. The delay has led to a lot of tension. They are waiting the final decision.”

Students are worried about how the top court will come up with a new method to grant marks.

“It is worrying to note that re-ranking might happen. We thought it was unfair to grant eighteen marks as grace marks but a delay in the admission procedure is worrying,” says Ms Ramya Nair, a student.

Mr Shashidar Bhandari, director of Krishnamurthy IIT Academy, said, “The 2nd phase of allotment is already over for IIT. Students have already paid the fees and are expecting to get into their desired branches. Re-ranking is injustice. It is not possible to rectify the error after so long. There is a lot at stake.”

Ms Lakshmi Rai, a parent said, “This has put the children at a crossroad. The decision by the supreme court has come as a shock. What are students supposed to expect now? Many of them have sought admission according to their ranks. A different marking system could really alter their ranks.”