The CBSE-conducted AIEEE examination would be for the first time held online on a limited scale next year for admission to various NITs, IIITs, deemed universities and a few state institutions.

While the regular pen-and-paper test will be held on April 24, 2011, the online version of the examination will be held from May 1 to May 15 for a maximum of one lakh candidates on "first come first served" basis, said CBSE sources.

More than 11 lakh candidates are expected to appear for AIEEE examination in its 10th edition seeking admission to courses like B.E./B.Tech. and B.Arch. and B. Planning courses.

Sale of Information Bulletin will start from 15th December onwards.

According to sources, the online format would be conducted on a pilot scale in 20 selected cities, with a maximum of 5000 candidates appearing for the test in each city.

Students will be informed about the dates on which they could sit for the online test, they added.

The success of the online format could see AIEEE going completely online in the coming years making it the largest online examination in the world.

Last year, the Common Admission Test (CAT) had also gone online.