New Delhi: IIT-Kanpur has decided to go its own way on how it picks students from the next academic year.

The institute Friday shot down the IIT council's proposal of a common entrance test for all centrally-funded engineering institutes and announced its own exam. A resolution to this effect was passed unanimously at IIT-Kanpur's special senate meeting attended by around 80 members. The admission committee for the exam would be announced shortly.

"In the interest of students, we have decided to hold a separate exam. We will not be part of the joint test proposed by the IIT council in 2013," said Dr YN Mohapatra, spokesperson, IIT-Kanpur senate, adding that the rules gave IIT senates the right to decide their admission process and syllabi.

While Dr Mohapatra invited other IITs to follow in Kanpur's footsteps, there was no immediate support. IIT-Bombay director Devang Khakhar said there were no plans of holding a separate test like Kanpur.

"We will go with the decision of our own senate on the issue," said IIT-Delhi director RK Shevgaonkar.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal could not be reached for comment.

If the move comes about, this would be the first time an IIT would not be a part of the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). The IIT-Kanpur Students' Forum had criticised the single entrance test format for all engineering admissions, saying it would put students under greater stress.