Background:

• Qualifying examinations conducted for a nation as a whole, testing the abilities of students coming from different curricula and backgrounds can be called as centralised examinations.
• In India, examinations like National Eligibility cum Entrance Test(NEET) and University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test(UGC-NET) can be considered as centralised.
• In 2017, the Government of India established the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct entrance examinations for professional courses. 
• NTA was envisioned to conduct multiple choice question (MCQ)-type of examinations in electronic mode with the help of specialists in the science of testing to set up appropriate question banks and also evaluator frameworks and organisational expertise. 
• The NTA conducts more than 15 entrance examinations for various higher education institutions including the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for central university admissions and the postgraduate admissions in medical and University Grants Commission (UGC) courses.
• The issues in the NEET 2024 have raised questions on the efficacy of various centralised examinations.

Issues with Centralised Examinations:

• • Malpractice and Security Concerns: Conducting exams in pen-and-paper mode increases the risk of malpractice at various stages, from setting the paper to its printing, distribution, and delivery.
    • There have been instances of question paper leaks, compromising the integrity of the exams.
  • Arbitrary measures to address issues : There have been arbitrary decisions, such as the awarding of grace marks and conducting re-examinations for a select few, leading to distrust among students and stakeholders.
    • The ranking change due to arbitrary marking affects students’ admissions, particularly to government institutions where rank is critical.

• Impact on the School System: The focus on national-level entrance exams has rendered school-leaving exams redundant, leading to the rise of ‘dummy’ schools and a thriving coaching industry.

• The growth of coaching centres has undermined the value of formal schooling, focusing solely on entrance exam preparation.

• Administrative issues in NTA: NTA has competency and manpower inadequacies in addressing the huge burden associated in conducting these centralised examinations.

Solutions to address the issues in Centralised examinations:

• Digital Examinations: Transition from pen-and-paper to fully electronic mode to reduce risks of malpractice.
• Stringent Security Protocols: Implement robust security measures, including encrypted question papers, secure transmission, and biometric verification at examination centres.
• Competent Leadership: Appoint qualified and experienced professionals in educational testing and administration to lead the NTA.
• Independent Oversight: Establish an independent body to oversee examination processes and ensure transparency and accountability.
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Develop and strictly adhere to SOPs for setting, printing, distributing, and conducting examinations.
  • Conduct re-examinations promptly and fairly in the event of any malpractice or paper leaks.
• Decentralise Examination Processes: Allow states to conduct their own entrance exams for state-level institutions while maintaining a central standard template.
  • The central government can set guidelines to ensure uniform standards and quality across state-level exams.
• Revitalise the School System: Incorporate School Marks: Reintroduce a percentage of school-leaving marks into the final score of entrance examinations to emphasise the importance of school education.
• Regulate Coaching Centres: Implement regulations to ensure that coaching centres complement rather than replace formal schooling.
• Leverage Technology: Use artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and prevent cheating, ensure fair grading, and manage large-scale data securely.
• Online Grievance Redressal: Establish an online system for students to report issues and grievances, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Feedback Mechanism: Create a feedback mechanism for students, teachers, and other stakeholders to continually improve the examination process.

Conclusion:

• India’s future depends on providing quality education and gainful employment to its aspiring youth. For this to happen, ensuring a fair examination system is imperative.