Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Context
The article discusses controversies surrounding NEET exam
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 26th June 2024
Preventing another NEET fiasco
The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) has emerged as the largest and most crucial examination in India for medical aspirants. However, the 2024 NEET exam faced significant controversies, including inflated scores and ranks, leading to allegations of cheating and paper leakage. These issues underscore the necessity for robust governance and foolproof Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the integrity of the examination process.
NEET Exam
- The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), previously known as the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is the entrance examination for admission to MBBS and BDS programs in Indian medical and dental colleges.
- NEET is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- History of NEET:
- In 2009, the Medical Council of India (MCI), which has now been replaced by the National Medical Commission, proposed the concept of NEET.
- By the following year, the MCI issued a notification aiming to standardize MBBS and BDS admissions through a common entrance examination.
- In 2013, the Supreme Court declared NEET unconstitutional, stating that the MCI lacked the authority to issue such regulatory notifications.
- In April 2016, a five-judge bench led by Justice Anil R. Dave, who had previously dissented in 2013, reversed the earlier judgment and mandated the conduct of NEET.
- In response to requests from certain stakeholders, the Union Government issued an ordinance in May 2016, temporarily exempting State-run medical colleges from the Supreme Court’s mandate for one year.
- NEET was officially implemented nationwide following a Supreme Court ruling in 2016
Issues with NEET 2024
- Inflated Scores and Ranks: This year, NEET scores and ranks were unusually inflated, leading to discrepancies in admissions.
- Many candidates may not secure admission to their desired colleges despite achieving high scores, disrupting previous years’ trends and expectations.
- Allegations of cheating and paper leakage have surfaced.
- Distribution of the wrong question paper led to panic and subsequent administrative errors, including incorrect timing adjustments and the awarding of excessive grace marks, which were later scrapped due to public outcry.
- Paper leakage in medical admission exams remains a persistent issue despite numerous crackdowns and investigations.
NEET’s Challenges
- High Stakes
- NEET has emerged as the largest exam in the ‘One Exam, One Nation’ model, owing to the number of candidates, languages, and other diverse factors.
- High stakes make NEET vulnerable to both accidental and intentional irregularities, as families are willing to go beyond their means to secure higher ranks for their children.
- Weak Links in Governance
- Errors such as distributing the wrong question paper at some centres have been reported.
- Improper management allowed access to both primary and secondary question papers simultaneously.
- These governance failures led to administrative chaos and panic among candidates.
- Overshadowing Academic Efforts:
- The NEET exam often takes precedence over students’ efforts in their higher secondary education.
- Rise of Coaching Centres:
- The prominence of NEET has led to the growth of multi-billion dollar coaching centres.
NTA’s Efforts to Transparency
- The National Testing Agency (NTA) has proactively disclosed information as per Section 4 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 .
- The NTA has released relevant information through press releases
- Followed SOPs for answer key disclosure, feedback collection on wrong questions, OMR sheet disclosure, and self-evaluation of scores.
Way Forward
- There is a critical need for foolproof SOPs and strict compliance to ensure smooth and fair conduct of NEET.
- Any weak links in the chain of operations, from setting question papers to conducting exams, must be eliminated.
- The NTA should devise SOPs to stabilize cut-offs, avoid inflated scores and ranks, and achieve a long-tail distribution.
- Replace ad-hoc measures with well-defined, sound, and secure SOPs.
- Implement a professional war-room culture to facilitate quick and sound decision-making during the entire process.
- Periodically upgrade and fine-tune the selection process to ensure it remains relevant and meaningful, as suggested by the Supreme Court.
- SOPs should encompass all stakeholders involved in the exam process: question paper setters, translators, reviewers, the printing press, examination centre officials, banks’ strongrooms, and invigilators.
- Ensuring all these roles are clearly defined and followed is crucial to prevent malpractices.
- Learning from IIT Admissions
- SOPs for NEET should be developed similar to those for IIT admissions, ensuring transparency and rational procedures.
- The Supreme Court observed in 2011 that transparent procedures improved the accuracy of the merit ranking process.
Conclusion
The NEET 2024 controversies highlight the critical need for robust governance and comprehensive SOPs to maintain the integrity of the examination process. By learning from past experiences and implementing well-defined procedures, the NTA can ensure a fair and transparent admission process, thus upholding the aspirations of millions of medical aspirants across the nation.
Related PYQ
Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2014]
Practice Question
The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024 faced significant controversies. Suggest measures to enhance the transparency and efficiency of NEET. [150 words]