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- NEET , UGC-NET Controversies: Blow To Aspirations Of Millions
Mohammad Irfan
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is under intense scrutiny for compromising the future of students across the country. Recently, the NTA’s handling of two key examinations—the NEET for medical colleges and the UGC-NET for entry-level teaching positions—has sparked controversy due to alleged irregularities and paper leaks.
A Wave of Controversies: In less than three weeks, two examinations conducted by the NTA have been embroiled in controversy. The uproar over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical colleges has not subsided. The Supreme Court is hearing multiple petitions regarding alleged irregularities and has instructed the government to “act fairly and admit if there is any mistake in the conduct of NEET.” Shortly after, the Ministry of Education (MoE) announced the cancellation of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET). This decision came a day after the test was held in 317 cities, likely influenced by inputs from the Union Home Ministry regarding the examination’s integrity.
Government Response: Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that a high-level committee will be formed to recommend improvements to the NTA’s structure and functioning, the examination process, and security protocols. However, more needs to be done. The Government must address the concerns of the nine lakh students who appeared for the examination, which is crucial for entry-level teaching jobs in universities and admissions to PhD programs. Accountability for the irregularities that led to the cancellation must be urgently established.
A Systemic Issue: The NET is the first centrally-conducted examination to be scrapped since the introduction of a new anti-paper leak law in February. The investigation could provide crucial lessons in applying the new law to address a pressing problem that threatens the credibility of educational and public recruitment systems. Even one weak link in the examination chain—from setting papers to their distribution to the evaluation of answer sheets—can compromise fairness. Many states have anti-cheating laws but struggle to dismantle networks involving the exam mafia and the coaching industry. An investigation in February revealed more than 40 instances of paper leaks in 15 states over the past five years, affecting nearly 1.5 crore candidates applying for positions in various fields such as education, engineering, public works, healthcare, and police. In a country with predominantly young people and rising aspirations, such disruptions cause resentment and stoke insecurities. It is not surprising that recent years have seen public outrage over the disruption of examination schedules in several states.
“If students are selected due to a paper leak in NEET, it would be a significant loss for the country. The integrity of the selection process would be severely compromised. Meritocracy, the cornerstone of fair admissions, would be undermined, allowing undeserving candidates to secure seats in medical colleges over more deserving ones. This not only violates the principle of merit-based admission but also impacts the quality of education, as students who gain entry through unfair means may struggle with the rigorous demands of medical training.”
Allegations and Implications: The NEET-UG, a graduate-level entrance exam, was conducted on May 5, with results announced on June 4, ten days ahead of schedule. The results revealed that 67 students had topped the exam, an unprecedented outcome that led to allegations of rigging and paper leaks. On June 10, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that the grace marks awarded to over 1,500 students in the NEET exams would be revoked, and they may appear for a fresh exam on June 23. Of the 67 toppers, 44 had secured a perfect score after receiving grace marks for a physics question.
NTA’s Role and Responsibilities: Established by the Centre in 2017, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous body responsible for conducting entrance examinations for admission and fellowships in higher educational institutions. From preparation to delivery and marking, the NTA handles all these responsibilities “scientifically” in consultation with subject matter experts and psychometricians. In addition to NEET and UGC-NET, the NTA conducts the Joint Entrance Examination (Main) for engineering, used for admission to India’s prestigious IITs and NITs. The JEE Main exam is followed by the JEE Advanced level, conducted by the IITs on a rotational basis. The NTA also conducts the Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) for admission to management programs and the Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) for admission of pharmacy graduates into master’s programs. The NTA is currently headed by former UPSC Chairman Pradeep Kumar Joshi. The governing body comprises a team of 14 members, including the chairman. IAS officer Subodh Kumar Singh serves as the Director General.
The Broader Impact: If students are selected due to a paper leak in NEET, it would be a significant loss for the country. The integrity of the selection process would be severely compromised. Meritocracy, the cornerstone of fair admissions, would be undermined, allowing undeserving candidates to secure seats in medical colleges over more deserving ones. This not only violates the principle of merit-based admission but also impacts the quality of education, as students who gain entry through unfair means may struggle with the rigorous demands of medical training. This, in turn, could lead to a decline in the overall quality of future medical professionals.
New Legislation to Combat Malpractice: In response to mounting concerns over exam malpractice, the government has enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which addresses widespread allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in exams such as NEET and UGC-NET. This legislation targets major examination bodies like the UPSC, SSC, railways, banking sectors, and the NTA, introducing strict measures to deter and penalize offenders. Key provisions include non-bailable offences for those involved in leaking exam papers, with penalties ranging from three to five years of imprisonment and fines up to Rs 10 lakh. Additionally, the Act imposes hefty fines of up to Rs 1 crore on service providers who fail to report potential malpractice. It also imposes severe penalties, including imprisonment up to ten years and Rs 1 crore fines, on senior officials and service providers engaged in organized cheating. This comprehensive approach aims to restore integrity to public examinations crucial for aspiring professionals in academia and healthcare.
“The Government’s decision to consider conducting the NEET test afresh is crucial, given its profound implications for public health. Medical professionals are not merely trained for academic excellence but for the vital responsibility of safeguarding public health. Ensuring that only the most deserving and capable candidates gain entry to medical colleges is imperative to maintain the standards and integrity of our healthcare system. Compromising on these criteria could have far-reaching consequences. The recent controversies surrounding NTA’s handling of major exams highlight the need for a decentralized approach. Empowering states and Union Territories to independently manage these examinations could enhance accountability and mitigate nationwide disruptions. This decentralized model would localize the impact of any potential faults, ensuring that issues are contained within specific regions rather than affecting the entire country’s education and healthcare sectors.”
Kashmir Horizon View: Honest and hardworking students would feel demoralized and disillusioned by the unfairness, potentially affecting their motivation and mental health. The widespread sense of injustice could lead to negative public sentiment, resulting in protests and putting additional pressure on educational authorities and the government to take corrective actions. Moreover, the presence of inadequately trained medical professionals in the healthcare system could have long-term negative effects on patient care and public health. Ensuring the integrity of the examination process, swiftly addressing any irregularities, and maintaining transparency and accountability are crucial steps that need to be taken to prevent these adverse outcomes. The Government’s decision to consider conducting the NEET test afresh is crucial, given its profound implications for public health. Medical professionals are not merely trained for academic excellence but for the vital responsibility of safeguarding public health. Ensuring that only the most deserving and capable candidates gain entry to medical colleges is imperative to maintain the standards and integrity of our healthcare system. Compromising on these criteria could have far-reaching consequences. The recent controversies surrounding NTA’s handling of major exams highlight the need for a decentralized approach. Empowering states and Union Territories to independently manage these examinations could enhance accountability and mitigate nationwide disruptions. This decentralized model would localize the impact of any potential faults, ensuring that issues are contained within specific regions rather than affecting the entire country’s education and healthcare sectors.
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