This year a lot changed in the system for the engineering aspirants. The Joint allocation process was the biggest change. However, there is one other change that has been introduced. Not a ‘change’ per say, but a modification to the already existing system. The one year preparatory course conducted in the IITs. The change is that this year, all the IITs and ISM-Dhanbad will conduct the course.  How helpful is this prep course that is conducted only for the students of the reserved category?

“It is thoughtful on the part of the IITs to induct students
and train them for a year. It helps the kids’ clear basics and mainly learn
English,” said a professor, from IIT Kharagpur. He also added that it would
help them in the long run, since they may be from the vernacular medium.

As such the cut offs for the reserved caste students is much
lower than the general category. Despite this, the quota of seats in these
premium institutes goes unfilled. It is in a bid to fill these seats that the
IITs began to offer the Preparatory courses. This one year course is divided
into two semesters. The students who opt to take admission for this course are
taught English, and Physics, Chemistry and Math.  “They have to attempt an exam at the end of
each semester, if they pass the exams, they will qualify to take admissions in
the following year to the course or branch they have applied,” he added

Typically it becomes a five year graduation course instead
of 4 years. Many students, who have applied for this course, are not very vocal
in admitting it and the ones who do end painting a rosy picture. “It helped a
bit, but then it is tough to say, “I did the prep course”. In my case friends
helped me a lot. But I am not sure if others get such support,” added one
second year student from IIT Bombay, who refused to be named.

There is no defined success/ fail rate regarding this course;
however, a particularly interesting trend has been noticed. The number of
students opting for this course, this year, has increased. One could point out
the obvious and say the number of seats increased, hence the rise in the number
of students. But on the flip side, it could also mean that students too are
willing to take the opportunity that is being offered to make something better
of their life.

It may not make a big difference to the students, but for
the hard workers, it may just be the stepping stone to success.