Vikhe-Patil of Maharashtra said there had to be “careful consideration” before inviting foreign universities. “Our only request is that the state’s views should be taken. But definitely any positive change is welcome. We should not compromise the country’s basic education policy. We have become a super power without bringing in foreign universities,” he said.

Facing opposition on the move to make the Class X examination optional, Sibal, meanwhile, said his initiatives would be limited to the CBSE board as he did not have power over the state boards. “I will talk to teachers, parents, students, school managements in the first 100 days about the initiatives and get their feedback,” he said.

Asked if he would wait for a consensus before implementing these initiatives, he said, “No, there can never be 100 per cent consensus. But we will start dialogue with everyone.”

Sibal cited a number of recommendations and guidelines, including the National Curriculum Framework-2005 and the CBSE affiliation bye-laws, which say that the Class X examination should be made optional and the marks-based system should be replaced by “grades”. He said if all goes well, the grading system as well as the “optional” Class X examination initiatives could be implemented from 2010.