It is not easy getting into an IIT, be it the general category or reserved. Though the cut-offs for the reserved lot are lower. However, despite being lower, for a variety of factors, the seats for reserved students often go empty in the IITs. To address this problem in the mid 1990s, the IITs wrote to the government for permission to start what is today called the Preparatory course.

This course which is in its 20 years of functioning is aimed at
encouraging the active participation of SC/ST and other reserved students into
the fold. The course is meant for those who do not make it because of low ranks
and are willing to put in a year ‘preparing’ for the next academic year in an
IIT.

The one year course is divided into two semesters. The students who opt
for this course are taught English, Physics, Chemistry and Math during their
course period. The course features an examination at the end of each semester,
depending upon on which the students are admitted to the branch that they
chose.

All IITs run this course and this year the numbers have increased to 185 students. This
is partly because the number of seats have increased and also the awareness of
this course.

A professor from IIT- Delhi, Anurag Sharma, Dean for Academic Affairs told PaGaLGuY that the course helps
students in various ways, not just academics. “Living in an IIT campus
with other students broadens their outlook to life and also what life is
on the campus, this helps them to have a better standpoint to what is
expected.”

This preparatory course ensures that students undertake the course on
the campus itself. Candidates stay in the hostels, eat and dine with other
students and also receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 250. At the end of the
course, candidates have to take an exam, and if successful gain direct entry
into the IIT.

If they do get into the IIT, it then becomes a five year graduation course instead of 4
years.

PaGaLGuY spoke to a student who took this course a while ago. He did not
give the course much credit and said it was his friends who helped him through
the year. “If others get as much support from peers as much as I did,
admission becomes easier.”

Despite this course, seats reserved for the reserved category often
remain empty. Students and professors, both, believe that while such attempts
to integrate the reserved class of students is of sound motive, there are other
factors that hamper.

These candidates are sometimes low on self-esteem and also
communication and English language skills. If all these are addressed rigorously
in the prep course, in the years to come, there is bound to be a change in the
scenario.