The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are likely to implement the 10 per cent quota for the economically weaker sections (EWS) of the general category in a phased manner, starting with 5 per cent in the 2019-20 academic session, reports Times of India.

The Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry had asked for financial requirements and seat details from the centrally funded institutes, reports for which are to be submitted by 31 January.

“The implementation will be in a phased manner with 5 per cent this year and the rest subsequently. Regarding financial requirements, the HRD ministry has asked for details which we will finalise and submit the report by 31 January,” director of IIT-Delhi V Ramgopal Rao was quoted in the report as saying.

However, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), especially the new ones, are likely to seek exemption from the implementation of the EWS quota this year. They are not sure about the roll out of the 10 per cent EWS reservation in the general category from the upcoming academic session.

“The new IIMs will find it difficult as our infrastructure is still not in place and any additional numbers may not be feasible,” director of one of the new IIMs was quoted in the report as saying.

R Subrahmanyam, the higher education secretary, said that the institutes had been asked to submit details of seats and requirements and that the ministry would take a call after going through it.