Panel recommends major reforms for entrance exams to enhance security with efficiency
A seven-member committee led by former ISRO chief Dr. K. Radhakrishnan has submitted key recommendations to the Education Ministry to overhaul the administration of national entrance exams, following the recent NEET paper leak. The panel, constituted to review exam security protocols and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), has proposed several reforms aimed at streamlining operations and minimizing the risk of future leaks.
The committee’s recommendations include introducing hybrid exam models, conducting multi-stage NEET exams, rationalizing subject choices for the Central University Entrance Test (CUET), and strengthening the NTA’s staffing with more permanent personnel.
The panel suggests delivering question papers digitally to examination centers, while students mark their answers on OMR sheets. This hybrid approach would reduce the number of people handling the papers, a crucial step given that the NEET-UG paper leak in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, reportedly occurred due to improper handling at a private exam center. The digital transmission of question papers closer to the exam time would also eliminate reliance on printing presses and storage in strong rooms, enhancing security.
The panel recommends maximizing the use of online exams where possible, while discouraging the involvement of private service providers to maintain control over exam administration. It suggests expanding government-owned exam centers and employing more permanent NTA personnel to reduce dependency on outsourced staff.
The report advocates for limiting the number of subjects in CUET to ease the burden on students and maintain security. Currently, CUET allows candidates to appear in up to six subjects, increasing logistical complexity and security risks. The panel questions the need for science students to reappear in the same subjects already covered in board exams and suggests CUET focus on general aptitude with some subject-specific knowledge.
Given the large number of medical aspirants—nearly 20 lakh registered for NEET-UG this year—the panel has recommended conducting NEET in multiple stages, similar to the two-tier Joint Entrance Exam (JEE). It has also proposed capping the number of NEET attempts to prevent misuse of the open-attempt policy.
The Radhakrishnan committee emphasizes the need for greater government control over exams by increasing the number of in-house centers and reducing reliance on private institutions. It also recommends recruiting more permanent staff to the NTA, which currently operates with a heavy reliance on contractual employees.
The expert panel, in addition to Dr. Radhakrishnan, includes prominent members such as former AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria, Hyderabad Central University Vice-Chancellor B.J. Rao, IIT Madras Professor Emeritus Ramamurthy K, Karmayogi Bharat Board Member Pankaj Bansal, IIT Delhi Professor Aditya Mittal, and Education Ministry Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal.
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Nana Patole resigns as Maharashtra Congress chief following assembly election setback
Mumbai: Nana Patole has stepped down as the President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, days after the party faced a severe defeat in the state assembly elections.
The party’s poor performance in the elections had raised concerns about its leadership and strategy in the state.
The Congress, which contested 101 seats as part of the MVA, posted its worst-ever defeat by managing to win only 16 seats.
