Pursuing Humanities and Social Sciences from IIT Madras: Here’s how
Humanities and social sciences may not be as popular as engineering or medical streams, but these fields also come with their own set of scopes and opportunities in both academia and professional sectors.
Keeping this in mind, Indian Institute of Technology’s (one of the most reputed engineering colleges in India) Madras campus offers undergraduate courses for students interested in pursuing humanities and social sciences. The institute conducts a national level entrance exam called IIT Madras Humanities and Social Sciences Entrance Exam or HSEE in short, for entry into its five-year integrated bachelors plus master’s programme in the relevant subjects, offered by the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of the university.
This year this all-India admission test happened on 7th August across 14 Indian cities. Next year’s registration will commence from February 2022. Here’s everything interested candidates need to know about HSEE.
Eligibility criteria
- Candidates must have successfully passed their class XII board exams with minimum 60% aggregate (General and OBC students). Other reserved category students will be given a relaxation, and need to secure a minimum of 55% aggregate.
- Candidates who have successfully cleared a two-year diploma course in Joint Services Wing from the National Defence Academy are also eligible.
- Candidates who have passed the final exams with a minimum of five subjects from the National Institute of Open Schooling are also eligible.
- Candidates who have passed Intermediate or Pre-University Examination; H.S.C. Vocational Examination and any other equivalent examination in India or abroad, all of which are recognised by the Association of Indian Universities are also eligible.
- Candidates who have secured Advanced (A) level in either of the following examinations: High School Certificate Examination from the Cambridge University or the International Baccalaureate Diploma or General Certificate Education (GCE) Examination – are all eligible.
Exam pattern
The exam paper of HSEE comprises of both multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as well as descriptive ones. Part 1 comprises of MCQs and part 2 comprises of broad answers. The topics in the first part include: English, communication and comprehension skills, logical and analytical ability, current affairs (with emphasis on Indian economy, Indian society and culture and world affairs) and finally environmental and ecological assessment. In the second part, candidates need to answer an essay question on the given topic, the answer of which should be detailed with proper descriptions. The syllabus is that of any 10+2 curriculum.
Marking scheme
The MCQ section has 75 marks. Each correct answer will get plus 1. There’s no negative marking for wrong answers or unattempted questions. The descriptive part has 25 marks. This makes it to a total of 100 marks.
Mode and duration
HSEE is conducted in two modes: Online computer-based exam for Part 1 and pen and paper mode for Part II. Candidates can answer their papers in only English. The total duration is 3 hours (2.5 hours plus 30 minutes respectively).