• Says “credibility of exams directly impacts future of youth”
• Seeks transparent interviews, stronger paper security and level playing field for candidates
Srinagar | Nov,12:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for a comprehensive overhaul of the examination system in Jammu and Kashmir, advocating technology-driven testing, stronger safeguards against paper leaks and greater transparency in interviews to ensure that merit remains the sole criterion for selection.
Chairing a meeting with members of the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) on Examination Reforms at the Civil Secretariat, the Chief Minister said the credibility of examinations had a direct bearing on the future of young people and stressed that the government would extend all possible support to the panel to fulfil its mandate.
The meeting assumed significance in the backdrop of the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 and the subsequent re-examination, which caused inconvenience and additional stress to lakhs of aspirants across the country.
Omar Abdullah observed that the increasing centralisation of competitive examinations had widened the impact of irregularities, with a single paper leak potentially affecting candidates across the country rather than being confined to a particular region.
He stressed the need to gradually transition towards computer-based examinations, while ensuring that students were adequately familiarised with the technology before its wider implementation.
The Chief Minister also proposed examining the possibility of incorporating school board examination performance into the selection framework for competitive and entrance examinations. He said this could reduce excessive dependence on a single entrance test and restore the importance of regular schooling.
However, he emphasised that a mechanism would be necessary to ensure equal opportunities for students from JKBOSE, CBSE and ICSE boards, without placing candidates from any particular board at a disadvantage.
Raising concerns over the subjective nature of interviews and viva-voce examinations, Omar Abdullah asked the Task Force to examine measures to make the award of interview marks more objective, transparent and accountable.
He observed that concerns were frequently raised by candidates regarding possible manipulation of marks in oral examinations and said the selection process must inspire confidence among aspirants.
The meeting also reviewed examination security arrangements adopted by the J&K administration for NEET-UG 2026, including police-escorted transportation of question papers, CCTV-monitored strong rooms, round-the-clock security, frisking procedures and monitoring of examination centres.
Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Ram Niwas Sharma, presented an overview of reforms undertaken by the government and arrangements made for national-level examinations.
The Task Force, constituted by the Government of India, has been mandated to recommend comprehensive reforms in examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency, including NEET-UG, JEE (Main), CUET-UG and UGC-NET.
Its mandate covers examination design, security, institutional governance, emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, inclusivity, student well-being and a time-bound implementation roadmap.
The meeting also discussed best practices adopted by JKPSC, JKSSB, universities and other higher education institutions concerning digital examinations, transparent evaluation, question-paper security and timely declaration of results.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo, Minister for Education Shamim Firdous, Acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, senior officers and Task Force members Tapan Kumar Deka and Prof. V. Kamakoti attended the meeting.
