In January 2025, the Government of India announced its commitment to implement corrective measures recommended by a seven-member expert panel regarding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG). This follows a controversial examination held in 2024, which raised concerns about integrity and operational lapses within the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Background of NEET-UG
NEET-UG is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the NTA. It is essential for students seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses in India. The exam has faced scrutiny due to allegations of malpractice and security breaches, particularly in the 2024 examination.
Expert Panel Formation
The Supreme Court of India established a seven-member expert panel to investigate the NTA’s operational integrity. The panel is led by K Radhakrishnan, former chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Other notable members include Randeep Guleria and B J Rao. The panel’s mandate includes reviewing the NTA’s functioning and recommending reforms.
Issues Identified
The Supreme Court brought into light several serious lapses during the 2024 NEET-UG. These included a security breach at an examination centre in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. Unauthorised individuals accessed question papers, and there were incidents of incorrect question paper distribution. Such issues raised alarms about the examination’s credibility.
Recommendations and Reforms
The expert panel’s report suggests comprehensive reforms. These include enhancing examination security, improving data management, and implementing technological advancements. The panel also emphasises the need for mental health support for students and training for NTA staff to ensure better administration.
Government’s Response
The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, confirmed that the government will act on the panel’s recommendations. The Centre has agreed to implement all suggested reforms to restore confidence in the NEET-UG process. The Supreme Court has adjourned the matter for further review in six months.
Impact on Students
Recently, over 23 lakh students participated in the NEET-UG. The examination’s integrity is crucial for these students, as it determines their future in medical education. The reforms aim to create a transparent and fair examination environment.
Future Directions
The NTA’s reforms are expected to focus on security measures and stakeholder engagement. The expert panel will continue to oversee the implementation of these recommendations. The government aims to ensure that future examinations are free from malpractice.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the implications of examination malpractices on students’ mental health and academic performance.
- Critically discuss the role of technology in enhancing the integrity of national-level examinations in India.
- Analyse the effectiveness of the National Testing Agency in conducting large-scale examinations like NEET-UG.
- Point out the key challenges faced by the National Testing Agency in ensuring examination security and transparency.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the implications of examination malpractices on students’ mental health and academic performance.
- Examination malpractices can lead to increased anxiety and stress among students, affecting their mental well-being.
- Students may experience feelings of inadequacy or unfairness, impacting their motivation and academic performance.
- Uncertainty about the integrity of exams can cause a loss of trust in the educational system, leading to disengagement.
- Malpractices can create an uneven playing field, exacerbating feelings of competition and pressure among students.
- Long-term psychological effects may include burnout and decreased self-esteem, affecting future educational pursuits.
2. Critically discuss the role of technology in enhancing the integrity of national-level examinations in India.
- Technology can improve security through biometric verification and secure online systems for exam administration.
- Digital monitoring tools can detect and prevent cheating during examinations, ensuring a fair testing environment.
- Data encryption and secure question paper distribution systems can reduce the risk of leaks and unauthorized access.
- Online platforms can facilitate real-time reporting and addressing of issues, enhancing transparency in the examination process.
- Technological advancements can also streamline the evaluation process, reducing human error and bias in grading.
3. Analyse the effectiveness of the National Testing Agency in conducting large-scale examinations like NEET-UG.
- The NTA has successfully managed logistics for over 23 lakh candidates, showcasing its operational capacity.
- However, incidents of security breaches and malpractice raise questions about its oversight and management practices.
- Feedback from stakeholders indicates a need for improved communication and transparency in examination processes.
- Comparative analysis with other examination bodies can highlight areas of strength and weaknesses in NTA’s approach.
- The agency’s ability to implement reforms and adapt to technological advancements will be crucial for future effectiveness.
4. Point out the key challenges faced by the National Testing Agency in ensuring examination security and transparency.
- Maintaining security across numerous examination centers poses logistical challenges and risks of human error.
- Inadequate training and resources for staff can lead to lapses in security protocols and examination integrity.
- High stakes associated with examinations create pressure that may lead to unethical behavior from candidates and staff.
- Ensuring consistent implementation of technology solutions across diverse geographical locations can be problematic.
- Building trust with students and stakeholders requires ongoing transparency and accountability measures, which are often challenging to establish.
