Raju G. Mendez
The uncertainty faced by aspirants on their path to becoming doctors is profoundly troubling. The failure to conduct such a critical professional entrance exam has sparked widespread criticism against the government. Over 200,000 students registered for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-post graduate (NEET-PG) examination, only to have it postponed just 10 hours before its scheduled start.
Candidates have expressed strong resentment, while the Health Ministry has promised to announce a new examination date promptly. Particularly disheartening are the challenges faced by doctors who traveled long distances, losing morale, money, energy, and precious time.
Subhod Kumar Sing, the director general of NTA, reportedly responsible for these issues, has been removed following a CBI investigation. However, while this move may seem significant, the government’s responsibility in addressing the plight of the students remains unanswered. Sing’s removal is seen as an attempt to shift blame without addressing systemic issues.
The plight of these candidates is incomprehensible and seemingly endless, eroding trust in the exam execution process. Imagine receiving official notice of the postponement just 10 hours before the exam, as students from Vadodara did, traveling to exam centers in Nashik and Madhya Pradesh only to find out about the postponement upon arrival. The mismanagement of exam centers by NTA further compounds the frustration. It appears NTA was testing the patience of candidates rather than their professional capabilities.
Postponed exams include:
- NEET-PG 2024
- CSIR-UGC-NET 2004
- NET-UGC 2024
- NEET-UG 2024
Controversies and Challenges:
Demanding justice over allegations of paper leaks, inflated scores, and arbitrary grace marks, thousands of students across India protested for weeks to no avail.
The inevitability of entrance exams remains controversial, with varying opinions on fairness, meritocracy, efficiency, quality control, and specialized skills. However, significant questions persist within the student community regarding the impartiality of these exams, often biased against disadvantaged or minority groups, perpetuating educational inequalities. Additionally, such exams may not adequately assess essential qualities like creativity, communication skills, or emotional intelligence, challenging their validity.
Entrance exams create immense stress and anxiety among candidates, potentially undermining their real potential and well-being.
In conclusion, the context and goals of assessment should form the foundation of entrance exams. While evaluating candidates and maintaining standards, fairness, bias, and the limitations of standardized testing must be considered comprehensively. Exploring alternative or complementary assessment tools could ensure a more holistic evaluation of candidates.
Most working professionals in India express strong dissatisfaction with the way exams are conducted, regardless of their purpose. This dissatisfaction highlights the risk of inefficient and undedicated professionals entering the workforce due to ruthless exam conduct. Even within corporate setups, recruiters struggle to identify true talent.
Addressing the root causes of these issues is complex and messy. Reorienting our approach to entrance exams is essential. Despite 75 years of independence, India’s systems in education and employment remain woefully inadequate in meeting the aspirations of its youth.
The anguish expressed by students themselves underscores the government’s cavalier attitude towards malpractices rampant in the exam process. Apologies from the Union Health Minister and Union Education Minister appear merely formalities, attempting to escape public scrutiny. To rectify such grave mistakes, the government should begin by reimbursing an average of Rs 10,000 to each affected candidate.
Shuffling bureaucrats is not a solution to severe issues like this. The abrupt disruption of exam dates and irregularities in distributing exam centers have forced students to prepare for other exams more hastily, had they been notified earlier.
Student leaders and doctors alike are dismayed by the Center’s handling of NEET-PG. The Ministry of Education’s formation of a high-level expert committee to recommend exam process reforms is a step forward. Stringent laws and penalties up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to ₹1 crore are in place to address malpractices in competitive exams.
The loss of time cannot be compensated by arbitrary grace marks. Admitting shortcomings in NTA’s management remains astonishing.
Controversies have always surrounded entrance exams, whether in educational institutions or public recruitment. Making the system foolproof requires stringent government measures. The increasing number of youngsters from diverse backgrounds participating in public examinations signifies a promising future for democracy. However, meticulous preparation for exams can be nullified by a flawed system that fails to prevent leaks and malpractices, eroding trust. Immediate steps are necessary to restore this trust.
