Syllabus
GS Paper II – Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context
Ministry of Education unexpectedly cancelled the June 2024 edition of the UGC-NET exam. Furthermore, concerns about the fairness of the NEET-UG exam have arisen, with allegations suggesting a potential compromise of its integrity and fairness.
As a countermeasure, the government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aimed at curbing illegal practices during examinations.
Examination System in India
Introduction
The examination system in India, a cornerstone of the educational framework, is multifaceted, catering to various stages of a student’s academic journey from school to higher education. At the school level, students undergo board examinations at the end of the 10th grade (Secondary) and the 12th grade (Senior Secondary), which are crucial for determining their academic and professional paths. Some boards, like the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), have implemented Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) to assess students throughout the year, focusing on holistic education rather than rote learning. In higher education institutions, including universities and colleges, the semester system with mid-term and end-term examinations is commonly followed. The recent National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes competency-based and formative assessments, aiming to shift away from high-stakes exams and promote holistic learning. These reforms are changing the way students are evaluated and measured for progress.
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
About:
- The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha to address malpractices in government recruitment examinations.
- It came into effect on 21st June 2024.
Key Features:
- Offences Defined:
- The Act defines various offences related to unfair means, including paper leaks, use of fake websites, and collusion with service providers.
- Penalties:
- Strict penalties are prescribed, including a minimum jail term of 3-5 years and fines up to Rs. 1 crore.
- Service providers engaged in exam conduct can face fines up to Rs. 1 crore and a 4-year ban from involvement in public exams.
- Empowering Police Officers:
- Police officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police can investigate offences under the Act.
- Coverage:
- The Act applies to a wide range of central government recruitment exams, including those conducted by UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, and NTA.
Punishable Offences Defined in the Act:
- Leakage of question paper or answer key
- Directly or indirectly assisting candidates in an unauthorized manner
- Tampering with computer networks, resources, or systems
- Creation of fake websites for cheating or monetary gain
- Conduct of fake examinations, issuance of fake admit cards, or offer letters
- Manipulation of seating arrangements and allocation of dates and shifts to facilitate unfair means.
Need for the Act:
- Public exams are currently vulnerable to cheating and disruptions, affecting millions of students.
- The Act aims to establish transparency, fairness, and trust in the public examination system.
NET UGC Exam
- Purpose: Conducted to fill positions of Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor in Indian universities and colleges.
- Frequency: Held twice a year (June & December) by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- UGC: The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament in 1956. It oversees standards of teaching, examination, and research in university education.
NEET UG
- Purpose: Entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical programs (MBBS and BDS courses) in India.
- Conducted by: The NTA.
- Formerly known as: All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT).
Issues related to the existing examination system in India
- Declining Credibility:
- Lack of consistency and credibility across different boards and universities results in scandals like paper leaks, cheating, and fake degrees.
- Employers often conduct separate assessments, bypassing reliance on university or board certificates.
- Theoretical Emphasis:
- The education system heavily emphasizes theoretical knowledge and memorization from textbooks.
- Graduates may excel in theory but lack practical skills necessary for their professions.
- Subjectivity:
- Examiner biases influence question phrasing, leading students to answer based on their interpretation.
- Different graders may assign varying marks for the same response, creating an inconsistent evaluation process.
- Stifling Creativity and Critical Thinking:
- Pressure to perform well in standardized tests discourages curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking.
- Rote learning-focused curricula limit creativity and hinder problem-solving abilities.
- Impact on Employability:
- Employers prioritize their own evaluations over institutional certifications.
- Coaching for competitive exams and skill development has become a significant market.
These challenges highlight the need for reforms that promote holistic learning, practical skills, and fair evaluation methods in India’s education system.
Key initiatives aimed at reforming the education system in India
- Right To Education Act (2009):
- Ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years.
- Focuses on inclusive and equitable access to quality education.
- New Education Policy (2020):
- Comprehensive reform blueprint covering all stages of education.
- Emphasizes holistic learning, skill development, and flexibility.
- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA):
- Aims to achieve universal elementary education.
- Focuses on improving infrastructure, teacher training, and learning outcomes.
- Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan:
- Focuses on secondary education (grades 9-12).
- Aims to enhance access, quality, and equity in secondary schooling.
- Rashtriya Uchhattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA):
- Promotes higher education reforms.
- Enhances infrastructure, faculty development, and research.
- National Testing Agency (NTA):
- Conducts entrance exams (like NEET, JEE, UGC-NET) with transparency and efficiency.
- National Curriculum Framework:
- Provides guidelines for curriculum development.
- Encourages learner-centered, interdisciplinary approaches.
These initiatives collectively strive to improve education quality, accessibility, and relevance across India.
Steps that can address challenges in the examination system
- Focus on Understanding and Analytical Ability:
- Assess students’ comprehension and analytical skills.
- Diversify question formats to evaluate various abilities aligned with course objectives.
- Minimize memory-based questions to encourage deeper learning.
- Subject and Skill-Specific Assessments:
- Introduce subject-specific and skill-specific assessments.
- Advocate for challenging assessments that differentiate students based on academic achievements.
- Emphasize practical components to assess hands-on skills and application of theory.
- Prevent Cheating:
- Implement strict measures like CCTV cameras and vigilant invigilators.
- Educate students on avoiding unfair means.
- Penalize or cancel exam centers failing to prevent cheating.
- Examinations as a Means, Not an End:
- View exams as tools for learning and continuous improvement.
- Avoid treating them as final goals.
- Leverage Technology for Credibility:
- Use technology to standardize question papers and evaluations.
- Explore available software solutions for centralized and distributed assessments.
These steps can enhance fairness, credibility, and learning outcomes in our examination system.
Conclusion
Reforming India’s examination system is crucial for fostering equitable, empowering, and inclusive education. By addressing structural, pedagogical, and cultural dimensions, we can pave the way for a system that nurtures every learner’s potential. Let’s embrace change, enhance teaching standards, and create a better world for our youth.
Source: Indian Express
Related PYQ
How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate on your answer. [UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Mains]
Practice Question
Discuss the challenges related to exam paper leaks and the deficiencies in India’s current examination system. Propose strategies for reforming the system in alignment with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020. [250 words]