• UGI USER
  • Jun 26, 2024
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PREVENTING ANOTHER NEET FIASCO

Relevance: GS 2 – Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability

Why in the News?

  • This year, during the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), scores and ranks were inflated due to the leak.
    • The recent leak of the NEET exam paper has highlighted significant concerns.
  • As a result, many candidates may not secure admission to their desired colleges, contrary to predictions based on previous years’ scores.
  • Strong governance is essential, requiring foolproof and comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

NEED Exam and the details

  • NEET has emerged as the largest exam in the ‘One Exam, One Nation’ model due to:
    • The large number of candidates taking the exam.
    • The multiple languages in which the exam is conducted.
    • The diversity of various other factors.
  • The quality of education and college fees vary widely:
    • A seat in a top government college with good quality education could cost a few lakhs.
    • A seat in a private college could cost a few crores.
  • High Stakes in NEET exam
    • Parents are willing to go beyond their means to secure higher ranks for their children in these competitive exams, as the family’s reputation is often considered to hinge on this.
    • The stakes in NEET are incredibly high, making it vulnerable to irregularities, whether accidental or intentional.

Vulnerabilities in NEET 2024

The stakes in NEET are incredibly high, making it vulnerable to irregularities, both accidental and intentional.

  • Some centers distributed the backup question paper instead of the primary paper.
    • Both sets of question papers—the primary and the backup—were accessed almost simultaneously, raising concerns.
      • Questions arise about how these papers were accessed from banks’ strongrooms or other reserves.
      • The backup question paper set was taken from the banks’ strongrooms without any emergency circumstances or protocols.
    • Several unanswered questions remain about the authorization and attitude of the officials involved. This seemingly minor event has significant consequences and provides insight into how the exam was conducted this year.
    • Cascade of Errors: The distribution of the wrong question paper led to a cascade of errors:
      • The wrong question paper was distributed and then taken back along with the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet, creating panic among candidates.
        • The correct question paper was then distributed, but no additional time was given to compensate for the time lost.
      • Exceptionally huge grace marks were awarded for the lost time, which were later scrapped due to public outcry.

Impact of NEET Exam Paper Leak on Coaching Industry

  • Coaching and admission counselling centres, often operated by business tycoons, have observed that NEET aspirants failed to secure preferred seats despite their guidance.
    • Despite this setback, the industry has leveraged media and social media coverage to enhance their brand value.
  • Owners of this trillion-rupee industry, along with the 23 lakh NEET aspirants this year, are expressing their dissatisfaction.
    • Their hypothesis is that the mapping of scores to ranks should not vary significantly from previous years.
  • Amid this situation, numerous allegations of cheating and paper leakage have surfaced.

Stakeholders in the Exam

  • These incidents highlight the need for critical SOPs for complete governance of the exam, involving several stakeholders:
    • National Testing Agency
    • Those who set the question paper
    • Translators
    • Reviewers
    • The printing press
    • Officials at examination centers
    • Banks’ strongrooms
    • Invigilators’
  • Any loose links in this chain can lead to malpractices. Proper investigation is necessary to reveal any substantial wrongdoing.

Development of SOPs for NEET

  • The SOPs for NEET were developed through a decade-long legal battle (2006-2015) in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
  • The aim was to ensure transparency and create well-defined, rational SOPs for admissions to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
  • In a 2011 judgment, the Supreme Court observed:
    • “The action taken by the appellants in challenging the procedure for JEE 2006, their attempts to bring in transparency in the procedure by various RTI applications, and the debate generated by the several views of experts during the course of the writ proceedings, have helped in making the merit ranking process more transparent and accurate.”
  • However, these efforts alone are not enough for NEET.
  • The Supreme Court also stated in 2011: “The selection process requires to be upgraded and fine-tuned year after year with periodic changes, so that the selection process and examination remain relevant and meaningful.”

National Testing Agency during NEET 2024

  • Despite these pitfalls, it is commendable that the National Testing Agency (NTA) voluntarily disclosed most of the information as per Section 4 of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
    • Since the declaration of NEET 2024, the NTA has disclosed the most relevant information through its press releases.
    • The NTA has followed SOPs for:
      • Disclosure of answer keys
      • Collecting feedback about wrong questions and answer keys
      • Disclosure of the individual OMR sheet
      • Allowing self-evaluation of one’s score
    • These measures seem to have worked without issues.

The Way Forward

  • Strong governance with foolproof and comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and strict compliance is essential.
    • There cannot be any weak link in the chain of operations, from setting question papers to conducting the exam to admissions.
  • The National Testing Agency (NTA) should:
    • Replace ad-hocism with well-defined, sound, and secure SOPs.
      • Also, SOPs could have stabilized cut-offs, similar to the IITs.
    • Avoid inflated scores and ranks.
    • Achieve a long-tail distribution.
    • Follow a professional war-room culture to facilitate quick and sound decision-making throughout the entire process.
  • Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits of exam processes and SOPs to identify and rectify weaknesses.
  • Enhanced Security: Implement advanced security measures for question paper handling and distribution.
  • Training Programs: Provide comprehensive training for all stakeholders involved in the exam process.
  • Transparent Communication: Ensure clear and transparent communication with candidates and the public about procedures and changes.
  • Technology Integration: Utilize technology for secure and efficient exam management, including biometric verification.
  • Independent Oversight: Establish an independent body to oversee and review the entire examination process.
  • Feedback Mechanism: Create a robust feedback mechanism for candidates and stakeholders to report issues and suggest improvements.

Associated articles

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/preventing-another-neet-fiasco/article68331301.ece

Mains question

Discuss the challenges and imperatives of ensuring integrity in national-level entrance examinations like NEET, with a focus on governance, standard operating procedures, and the role of stakeholders. (250 words)