The current scenario entails students applying to many universities, which often as not results in a waste of time, money and effort. So to provide an intelligent and efficient platform for admission to engineering, medical and dental courses, Era Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation has come out with Uni-Gauge EMed in India — a single entrance exam window for multiple universities aimed at benefiting the student community. This pan-India exam pattern is partnered by Tata Consultancy Services for conducting s computer-based test in about 60 cities.

The foundation has an autonomous board of governors that will oversea assessment methodology, design and administration. It operates with the larger purpose of enabling holistic improvement of education through consultation and cooperation with key stakeholders, including policy makers, educational institutions, the corporate sector and the student community.

Partner institutions like MSR University of Applied Sciences, Manav Rachna International, Periyar Maniammai, Saveetha, Karpagam, etc, will take the Uni-Gauge scores as part of the criteria and will enjoy complete autonomy with regard to the admission process. In addition, they will derive several benefits in shaping and influencing regulation and policy for education in the country.

Candidates appearing for the test should have qualified in a +2 or equivalent examination recognised by the state or Central government. The last two years of study will comprise physics, chemistry and biology with English as a compulsory subject. General merit candidates must have passed these subjects individually and should have obtained a minimum 50 per cent marks. Additional criteria, including the number of attempts, age limit, reservations for regional, social, economic and linguistic minorities, will be made available by the participating universities on their respective websites.

Candidates are also required to provide a declaration about their eligibility while filling up application forms online. “The Foundation has pioneered and brought a positive difference in the country&’s education scenario by introducing such programmes. It will fulfill a vital need in the higher learning system by helping the student community to apply through a single gateway. It has commenced all-India entrance exams for postgraduate and undergraduate courses in the medical, dental, engineering and technology streams and has announced an all-India entrance examination with regard to engineering, medical and dental. Also going forward, the platform will be extended for admission to many more courses,” said BN Subramanya, chief executive officer, Era Foundation.

Registrations are open and the last date of submitting applications is 4 April 2015. One can visit: https://www.erefoundationindia.org/emed-entranceexamination to register. The fee structure for physics, chemistry and mathematics is Rs 1,500, whereas for physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology it is Rs 2,000. The online test will be held on 26 April and the results will be available under the applicant&’s login on the Era website. When the exam results are out, the universities will present their individual cut-offs and admission will be made based on candidates’ scores.

This is projected as the Indian version of the Graduate Record Examinations, in which the scores obtained by students would determine admission.

“The partner universities offer several benefits, including improved ability to access students across the country, a reliable, efficient and technology-enabled entrance test and segregated evaluation and process,” said Sanjay Kulkarni, Era Foundation.

For more information, log on to: www.erafoundation.org