New Delhi, Sep 3 - In order to ensure that engineering seats don't fall vacant after the selection procedure is over, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and other leading engineering colleges have started 'informal discussion' for initiating common counselling.

The process of allotting students' seats is popularly known as counselling in engineering colleges. Currently IITs take students through Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and others through an All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE).

'The Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry is keen on such a proposal. There was some informal discussion as well,' an IIT director told IANS Thursday, while requesting anonymity.

Authorities said the effort will solve the problem of a number of seats going vacant after the selection procedure is over.