POLITY and GOVERNANCE 

CENTRALISED EXAMINATIONS HAVE NOT ACED THE TEST

Source: The Hindu

Context: The National Testing Agency (NTA) faces issues such as question paper leaks, arbitrary grace marks, inconsistent re-examinations, and centralized examinations.

National Testing Agency (NTA)

• It is an autonomous organization established by the Government of India under the Ministry of Education.
• It was founded in 2017, its primary mandate is to conduct entrance examinations for admissions and recruitments in higher educational institutions across the country.

Purpose and Responsibilities

Conducting Entrance Examinations

• The NTA organizes a wide range of national-level examinations that are crucial for admissions into various fields of higher education. These include:
  • Joint Entrance Examination-Main (JEE Main): For admissions into undergraduate engineering programs across India, including prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
  • National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG): For admissions into undergraduate medical and dental courses (MBBS/BDS) in medical colleges across India.
  • National Eligibility Test (NET): For determining the eligibility for Assistant Professorship or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
  • Common Management Admission Test (CMAT): For admissions into management programs like MBA in AICTE-approved institutions.
  • Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT): For admissions into postgraduate pharmacy programs (M.Pharm) in AICTE-approved institutions.

Frequency of Exams

• The NTA conducts exams multiple times a year to accommodate the large number of candidates and to provide flexibility in exam dates. For instance, exams like JEE Main and NEET-UG are held twice a year, giving students opportunities to improve their scores.

Operational Framework

• Autonomy and Expertise: As an autonomous body, the NTA has the flexibility to design and implement examination processes independently. This includes setting question papers, conducting examinations in both online and offline modes, and ensuring the security and fairness of the entire examination process.
• Technology Integration: The NTA utilizes advanced technologies to manage and conduct examinations effectively. This includes sophisticated IT systems for online exam delivery, secure handling of examination data, and measures to prevent malpractice such as question paper leaks.
• Standardization and Fairness: One of the key objectives of the NTA is to standardize the admission process and ensure fairness for all candidates. This is achieved through stringent evaluation criteria, standardized testing procedures, and transparent evaluation mechanisms.
• Continuous Improvement: The NTA is committed to continuous improvement in its operations. It regularly reviews its examination processes, incorporates feedback from stakeholders, and implements reforms to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of its examinations.

Significance and Impact

The NTA plays a crucial role in the higher education landscape of India by:

• Facilitating Access: Providing a standardized platform for students across the country to compete for admissions into premier institutions based on merit.
• Ensuring Quality: Upholding standards of excellence in education by conducting rigorous and fair examinations that assess the knowledge and skills of candidates objectively.
• Promoting Equity: Creating opportunities for students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to access higher education and pursue their academic aspirations.

Recent Controversy

Flawed Implementation of NEET-UG	●The NEET-UG exam, designed to standardize the quality of students aspiring to become doctors across India, has faced significant implementation challenges: Question Paper Leaks: There have been multiple instances where NEET-UG question papers were leaked, compromising the integrity of the exam and raising concerns about fairness. Arbitrary Grace Marks: The process of awarding grace marks has been criticized for lack of transparency, potentially affecting the ranking and selection process unfairly. Inconsistent Re-examinations: The editorial points out that instead of conducting re-examinations in cases of widespread malpractice, the NTA has resorted to other measures that have not been perceived as fair by stakeholders.
Centralization Concerns	●Scope for Malpractice: Centralized exams conducted in pen-and-paper mode, like NEET-UG with 4,750 examination centres, pose logistical challenges that increase the risk of malpractice, from question paper setting to distribution. ●Trust Issues: The editorial highlights a loss of trust in the NTA’s ability to ensure a fair examination process due to frequent leaks and inconsistent handling of exam irregularities.
Government and NTA's Response	●Committee Formation: A high-level committee, chaired by a former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been constituted to review the NTA's functioning and recommend reforms. ●Counselling Process: Despite the controversies, the government has proceeded with the counselling process for admissions based on flawed exam results, which has further exacerbated concerns among students and parents.

Way Forward

Decentralization of Testing

• Central Government Role: Restricting national-level testing to admissions in central government institutions to maintain uniform standards.
• State-Level Exams: Allowing states to conduct their own exams for admissions to state-level institutions while adhering to a standardized template provided by the central government.
• Benefits: This approach aims to reduce the scale of centralized malpractice risks and enhance local oversight and accountability.

Restructuring Testing Bodies

• Inclusion of Experts: Advocates for reorganizing testing bodies like the NTA to include domain experts in testing methodologies and IT experts to bolster cyber safety measures.
• Enhanced Security Protocols: Implementing advanced security protocols to prevent leaks and ensure the integrity of exam processes, addressing concerns about data security and procedural fairness.

Rejuvenation of Schooling System

• Role of School Education: Emphasizes the critical role of school education in laying the foundation for higher studies and professional careers.
• Reduction of Coaching Dependency: Recommends reducing the reliance on coaching centres by reintroducing the importance of school leaving marks in entrance exams, thereby incentivizing students to focus on academic excellence during their school years.

 

Conclusion

●There is an urgent need for immediate action to restore trust in our examination system and uphold the principles of meritocracy in admissions to higher education institutions in India. The need of the hour is to take proactive measures to address systemic flaws and ensure a fair and equitable process for all students aspiring to pursue professional careers through centralized entrance exams.