The Centre is weighing a major review of the difficulty level of competitive entrance exams like JEE and NEET to ensure they are aligned with the Class 12 curriculum and reduce students’ heavy dependence on coaching centres, sources told media.
According to insiders, a nine-member expert panel, formed earlier this year, is studying whether the current difficulty of these exams is in sync with school-level education. “Some parents and faculty from coaching institutions have raised concerns that the gap between the syllabus and the entrance exam complexity forces students to seek coaching,” a source said.
“Based on the panel’s recommendations, the government may adjust the difficulty level to make exams fairer and more curriculum-aligned,” the source added.
Expert Panel to Suggest Measures
The committee, headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, was set up in June to examine issues related to coaching, the rise of “dummy schools,” and the overall fairness of entrance examinations. Its key mandate includes reducing student reliance on coaching institutes for higher education entry.
The panel is evaluating multiple factors, including:
- Gaps in the schooling system that drive dependence on coaching
- Limited focus on critical thinking, logical reasoning, analytical skills, and innovation
- Prevalence of rote learning in schools
- Awareness among students and parents about multiple career pathways
- Effectiveness of career counselling services in schools and colleges
The ultimate aim is to strengthen career guidance frameworks and ensure students have better access to resources beyond a handful of elite coaching centres.
Who’s on the Panel?
The panel comprises high-level officials and educators, including:
- CBSE Chairman
- Joint Secretaries from school and higher education departments
- Representatives from IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, and NCERT
- Principals from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and a private school
The move comes amid growing concerns over the coaching industry, following complaints about student suicides, fire incidents, inadequate infrastructure, and outdated teaching methods in these institutes. The government hopes that aligning exam difficulty with the school curriculum and enhancing support systems will ease student stress and create a fairer competitive environment.
If implemented, these changes could mark a significant shift in India’s competitive exam landscape, making entrance tests more about understanding than endless coaching.
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