'India kills its own talent before the world even gets to see it'
The ministry of education is contemplating significant reforms to the admission process for crucial entrance exams like NEET and JEE. Proposed changes include giving 50 per cent weightage to board exam marks, aligning entrance tests with school syllabi, and introducing multiple attempts and computer-based tests. These reforms aim to reduce the high-stakes nature of exams and address issues like evaluation errors and paper leaks.
A parliamentary panel has decided to review the implementation of reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) as well as the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case and has summoned NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other bureaucrats for deliberations.
The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to alleged paper leaks has led to widespread outrage among aspirants, who are questioning the competence of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and demanding that AIIMS-Delhi conduct the medical entrance exam.
The Union Cabinet has approved a draft bill to introduce stricter punishments for examination paper leaks, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement. This new legislation builds upon the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, aiming to curb cheating in public examinations conducted by various central agencies amidst recent controversies like the NEET and NET paper leaks.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the NEET-UG re-examination will be held on June 21, with plans to transition to a computer-based test from next year. This decision follows allegations of irregularities in the original exam, prompting strict action and a commitment to ensuring fairness for students.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, which was cancelled due to alleged irregularities, will be re-conducted on June 21.
The Supreme Court has informed the Centre that it will closely monitor the steps taken to curb NEET examination paper leaks, emphasising that 'ad hocism has caused trouble for years' and demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the examination process.
The NTA has increased the rough-work space available to candidates in the question-paper booklet. Students will now receive four rough-work pages instead of two, allowing more space for calculations, diagrams, and other workings during the examination.
The Supreme Court on Monday said it was sad that National Testing Agency has not learn lessons from the earlier NEET paper leak as it sought response from the Centre, NTA and Central Bureau of Investigation on pleas for replacement of the testing agency with a robust and autonomous body to conduct the medical entrance exam.
The clarification by board comes after it received a few requests stating that, because of some reasons, Class 10 students will not be able to appear in the first board exam, hence should be allowed to appear in second board exam.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has launched a nationwide protest from Pune, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged exam irregularities and delays. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk is also participating in the peaceful demonstration.
IIT entrance exam changes to be implemented in 2006
'For the rest of his tenure, people will start with the assumption that even Modi can be forced to bow down'
When dialogue fails, protest becomes inevitable.
In a democracy, protest is often the only language left once institutions stop listening, explains Ramesh Menon.
Members of Parliament questioned top National Testing Agency (NTA) officials about the NEET-UG paper leak, with the NTA stating the CBI is investigating the matter. The parliamentary panel also discussed measures to prevent future leaks and reforms within the NTA.
The suicide of a NEET aspirant in Uttar Pradesh, allegedly due to the cancellation of the medical entrance exam, has triggered strong reactions from opposition leaders who are demanding accountability and compensation for the family.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has informed the Supreme Court that the NEET-UG exam will transition to a computer-based test (CBT) mode from next year, following consultations with the Centre and recommendations from a high-level committee.
The CBI has arrested five individuals and conducted searches across India in connection with the NEET UG paper leak case. Protests have intensified, and calls for the Education Minister's resignation have grown louder. Political parties are trading blame, and the Supreme Court is considering a plea for an overhaul of the National Testing Agency.
Amid a row over irregularities in competitive exams National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and National Eligibility Test (NET), the education ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The Centre on Saturday night announced that the probe into alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET will be handed over to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation.
The ministry and the Central Board of Secondary Education will hold consultations with school principals next month for conducting board exams twice a year, the sources said.
Pradhan, who is also the skill development minister, said he has received positive feedback from students on the plan to conduct board exams twice a year.
The top court said since the remit of the panel has been expanded, the committee would submit its report by September 30 on various measures to rectify deficiencies in the examination system.
They said the agency is also taking steps to bring under its ambit cases registered in various states by the police.
Here is an explainer on the functioning of the seven-year-old body.
Pradhan further said the opposition had a chance to raise this issue during the motion of thanks to the President's address and asserted the government was ready for any type of discussion.
Rao suggested changes should also be brought in the evaluation methods and pitched for introduction of an open-book examination system for competitive examinations designed to test the candidates' "competence, aptitude, attitude and Intelligence Quotient".
The Supreme Court will hear on Monday a batch of pleas related to the controversy-ridden medical entrance exam National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024, including those alleging irregularities and malpractices in the May 5 test and seeking a direction to conduct it afresh.
Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung deserves to be complimented in telling his life story and that of his people, as subaltern communities within this vast and diverse nation of ours clamour for recognition and a plea for their voices to be heard and their aspirations to be met, notes Lieutenant General Gautam Moorthy.
The reforms proposed for the monster examinations, JEE and NEET, which take several students' lives every year don't go far enough.
It added that in any examination, there are competing rights that are created whereby the interests of a large number of students who have taken the examination without adopting any unfair means must not also be jeopardised.
'The Indian private sector knows how to build and run educational organisations, what is needed is a large dose of removal of restrictions.' 'Government restrictions hold back universities in India from launching medical schools,' argue Ajay Shah and Vijay Kelkar.
The prime minister took no names but made an apparent reference to reports about "rate card" for different government jobs in the Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal and prevalence of "cut money" in the state.
A student rejected the allegation and said they were allegedly manhandled by the security personnel.
A teenager, who had allegedly run over a 32-year-old man with his father's Mercedes, on Tuesday succeeded in securing bail in his third attempt.
The government is by far the largest employer; job security is guaranteed for government employees, and their wages are set through once-in-10-year Pay Commission.
"The policy draft has been approved. The ministry has been renamed as education ministry," a senior HRD ministry official said. The existing NEP was framed in 1986 and revised in 1992. A new education policy was part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto ahead of the 2014 general election.
The role of the youth is very important in achieving the goal of 'ease of living' to give a better life to the poor, he told students.
Shubham Kumar Gautam, son of a farmer and a Super 30 student, recounts how, in a journey laced with perseverance, grit and determination, he achieved what seemed impossible.
