Belagavi: Started online examinations first in the nation about a decade ago, the Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) will introduce ‘open book’ exams for select engineering courses from the current academic. This is the first time in Karnataka that a state-run university is introducing it.

The design-based subjects and mostly in streams courses like civil, mechanical, electrical and architecture will be introduced first. Prof Karisiddappa, vice-chancellor, VTU, said, the university has directed the Board of Studies to recommend on the streams where open book exams can be introduced. The open book examinations cannot be introduced in all streams.

In streams like mechanical, civil and electrical, students have to design components, elements and structure-based designs. They will be given hand books and BS codes for reference, he said.

With the introduction of open book exams, teachers will be told to ask innovative questions for which students can refer to codes and hand books. According to subject experts, this will help students in understanding the subject and concepts better.

This will definitely help students in understanding the subjects better and put an end to rote learning. Open book exams cannot be conducted for all streams.
This will be applicable from the current academic year and students aspiring to get admissions for engineering courses this academic year will benefit from this.

Currently, the Indian Institutes of Technology and National Institutes of Technology follow the open book exam system.