Status of centralised exams in India

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Context:

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has become a controversial body with questionable integrity today.

Introduction

In 2017, the Government of India established the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct entrance examinations for professional courses but today its integrity is being questioned.
Its implementation, the widespread leakage of question papers, the manner of awarding grace marks, conducting a re-examination for just a handful of students, etc is being criticised by the public.

Criticisms

Against the mandate

It was envisioned to conduct multiple choice question (MCQ)-type of examinations in electronic mode.
Contrary to its vision, the NTA conducts examinations in pen to paper mode that provides huge scope for malpractice — from the setting of the paper, to its printing, distribution and final delivery to a large number of examination centres.
For instance, there are 4,750 examination centres for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET–UG, for admission in undergraduate medical courses.

Lack of specialists

The NTA was to have specialists in the science of testing to set up appropriate question banks and also evaluator frameworks and organisational expertise.

Outsourcing

Despite conducting more than 15 entrance examinations for various higher education institutions including the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for central university admissions and the post-graduate admissions in medical and University Grants Commission (UGC) courses, most of the work of NTA is outsourced.

Non-matching of experience

It is headed by a chairman and an Indian Administrative Service officer working as the chief executive officer, who might not have expertise in conducting exams.

Government actions

The government has constituted a seven-member high-level committee of experts chaired by the former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, K. Radhakrishnan.

Its terms of reference are:

reforming the mechanism of the examination process to forestall any possible breach, and based on a review of the standard operating procedures, suggesting monitoring mechanisms;
improving data security protocols to enhance the robustness of the examination;
making recommendations on the structure and the functioning of the NTA;
defining the roles and the responsibilities of functionaries at all levels, and
establishing a responsive grievance redress mechanism.

About National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET (UG)

About	●NEET (UG) is an entrance examination in India for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical (MBBS), dental (BDS), and related courses in approved/recognized medical/dental colleges across the country.
Evolution	●Originally known as the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), it was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) until 2012. ●NEET-UG was introduced in 2013 by CBSE to standardize the medical entrance process nationwide, replacing AIPMT. ●Legal challenges temporarily reverted to AIPMT for 2014 and 2015, but NEET was reintroduced in 2016. ●Since 2019, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has been responsible for conducting NEET.
THE NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION ACT, 2019	●The act made NEET-UG mandatory for admission to all medical colleges in India, including AIIMS and JIPMER, which previously held separate entrance exams.
Exam format	●NEET (UG) is a pen-and-paper test with multiple-choice questions (MCQs). ●It covers subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Botany and Zoology). ●The exam is conducted annually in multiple languages, providing opportunities for students from various linguistic backgrounds.

Way ahead

Review the process

Reports of widespread cheating and leakages in examinations conducted at the national levels calls for the need to review the centralised testing mechanism for higher education institutions.

Decentralisation

The central government may restrict testing for entry to its own institutions and decentralise, where States fill up their own seats on the basis of entrance examinations

Standard Operating Procedures( SOPs)

Centre can develop a standard template or Standard Operating Procedures( SOPs) to ensure that the requisite standards are maintained for the test and the evaluator framework.
The examinations that 24 lakh students appear for to fill one lakh seats are prone to be risky, decentralisation would reduce the burden.

Involvement of experts

Testing bodies could be restructured to incorporate domain experts, testing experts and also IT measures of not just testing tools but also cyber safety and multiple types of safeguards that are necessary to conduct large-scale exams in a fair manner and where every decimal counts for a student.

Rejuvenate the schooling system

The integrity of a national or State-level examination is also in the spotlight.
Standards of academic competency, hard work and good values that are built up at the school level can never be achieved at the time of higher studies, when a student is much older and is poised for the world of work. This is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently.

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established with the vision of enhancing the integrity and efficiency of entrance examinations in India. However, recent criticisms have raised concerns about its functioning and effectiveness. Discuss the criticisms faced by NTA and evaluate the proposed measures to address these issues.(250 Words)