In a pathbreaking educational reform, the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is set to extend to all central universities and colleges. Each of their undergraduate courses shall see admissions on the basis of CUET scores, beginning from the forthcoming session itself. This has been in the pipeline since 2010 but the New Education Policy 2020 and the pandemic firmed up the resolve around it. Haphazard admission procedures that exhausted students and faculty alike would now metamorphose into a streamlined process that would reduce the burden on all stakeholders and create a level playing field. CUET is mandated presently for the 45 central universities ; for state, private and deemed universities the test is optional. The new entrance test gives students a wide choice of subjects, therefore colleges need to finalise which subject tests are required for particular courses. CUET provides much fairer access to quality education. Bigger and radical reforms are needed to address the fact that there will be many, many more aspirants than seats in good institutions. That is a challenge which needs to be tackled if India of the future and the future of India is to shine effulgent.
