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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Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
