Reforming National Entrance Exams

Table of Contents☰

What’s in today’s article?

Why in News?
What is the National Testing Agency (NTA)?
Issues Faced by the NTA
Key Recommendations of the High-Level Committee for Secure Examinations
Conclusion

Why in News?

A high-level committee, chaired by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, has recommended significant reforms to ensure transparency and efficiency in conducting national entrance tests like NEET, CUET, and UGC-NET.
Drawing parallels with the general election framework, these reforms aim to safeguard the integrity of the examination process and prevent malpractices.

What is the National Testing Agency (NTA)?

About NTA:
- It was set up in 2017 as a specialist, self-sustaining and autonomous organisation under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Education.
- It is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, and falls under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
- Its director general and governing body are appointed by the Union government.
Background:
- In 2010, a committee comprising directors of IITs recommended establishing an autonomous and transparent body (NTA) through legislation, modelled after the Educational Testing Service (ETS) of the US.
- Prior to the NTA’s formation, various government bodies like the UGC, the CBSE, and central universities such as Delhi University and JNU conducted their own entrance examinations.
Objectives: It aims to
- Conduct efficient, transparent and international standards tests in order to assess the competency of candidates for admission, and recruitment purposes.
- Undertake research on educational, professional and testing systems to identify gaps in the knowledge systems and take steps for bridging them.
- Identify experts and institutions in setting examination questions.
- Produce and disseminate information and research on education and professional development standards.
Examinations conducted by the NTA:
- JEE (Main), NEET-UG, Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT), University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), etc.
- The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a broader role for the NTA to conduct an entrance or aptitude test for all universities across the country.

Issues Faced by the NTA:

Issue of accountability:
- Computer-based tests ensure that high volume can be processed in a short period of time.
- As the NIC [National Informatics Centre] does not have the capacity or IT infrastructure needed, third-party technical partners are being engaged.
- This takes accountability out of the government’s hands and leaves loopholes in the system which can be exploited by unscrupulous players.
Shortage of manpower: The agency was set up with only about 25 permanent staff positions and its functions have been outsourced to technical partners from the very beginning.
Absence of robust security mechanisms:
- These are needed to handle a large-scale pen-and-paper examination, including the
  - Setting of the question paper and its encryption,
  - Selection of external printing presses and exam centres,
  - Transportation to printing presses,
  - Storage and distribution to examinees at examination centres and
  - Then the collection and transportation of answer sheets to evaluation centres.
- Each of these is a stage where malpractice can occur without robust security mechanisms.
Cases of irregularities:
- The integrity of the NEET-UGwas compromised when the exam question paper was allegedly leaked.
- Similarly, the UGC-NET exam was cancelled a day after being conducted, following reports that its integrity had been breached.

Key Recommendations of the High-Level Committee for Secure Examinations:

Election-style examination framework:
- State collaboration for test administration:
  - A collaborative approach between the Centre and state governments to conduct these exams, similar to how elections are managed.
  - The state administrative machinery, including district collectors, would play a crucial role in ensuring smooth execution.
- Presiding officers and protocols: Each testing centre will have an NTA-appointed “presiding officer” responsible for overseeing operations, akin to polling booth management during elections.
- Sealing and securing centres:
  - Testing centres are to be sealed before exams and unsealed only in the presence of district administration and NTA officials.
  - This procedure mirrors the election process, where EVM strong-rooms are locked and guarded.
State and district-level committees:
- State-level committees: Headed by a Chief Secretary-nominated nodal officer, these committees will include representatives from state police, NTA, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the NIC.
- District-level committees: Led by district magistrates, to ensure the identification of secure testing centres and develop strategies for question paper transportation with police or paramilitary support.
Background checks for centres: Testing centres will be vetted based on past records, ownership backgrounds, and intelligence inputs to avoid potential security breaches.
Reducing dependence on 3rd-party agencies: Phasing out reliance on private test delivery agencies (TCS iON) and collaborating with Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas to develop digital infrastructure for computer-based testing.
Digi-exam system: Inspired by the DigiYatra model, the proposed “digi-exam” system will ensure candidate verification using biometric data and a one-time entry of primary identification information during the application process.
CCTV monitoring and sanitised centres:
- Continuous CCTV monitoring of candidates during the exam.
- Sanitisation of computer-based testing centres by third parties, with additional checks by NIC and NTA representatives.
- District-level CCTV monitoring centres to oversee exam operations.
Redefining NTA’s role: The NTA should focus solely on entrance exams for higher education, leaving recruitment exams for other bodies.
Flexibility in exam modes: Regarding NEET, the decision on the mode of the exam – computer-based or pen-and-paper – will rest with the Health Ministry, with the NTA acting as a service provider.

Conclusion:

The proposed reforms mark a significant shift towards ensuring fairness and efficiency in national entrance tests.
By adopting an election-style framework and leveraging technology, the government aims to restore trust in the examination system and safeguard its integrity.