NEET Paper Leaks: Expert panel suggests hybrid and multi-stage exams to boost security

NEET UG Exam

In a bid to secure entrance exams in India and streamline the National Testing Agency (NTA)'s processes, a seven-member expert committee led by former ISRO chairman Dr. K Radhakrishnan has recommended significant reforms. These include transitioning entrance exams to online platforms where feasible, adopting a hybrid model with digital question paper transmission and paper-based responses, implementing a multi-stage examination for NEET-UG, and enhancing staffing with more permanent employees in the NTA, according to The Indian Express.

The committee, established following the NEET exam paper leak that triggered widespread public concern, submitted its detailed report to the Ministry of Education. The proposed measures aim to bolster data security and improve the overall structure of the NTA’s operations. The recommendations are not limited to NEET but are intended to safeguard all national-level entrance exams administered by the NTA.

Key recommendations include:

Online and Hybrid Exam Formats: Encouraging online testing wherever possible, and for cases where it's not, employing a hybrid model. In this setup, the question paper would be transmitted digitally to centers, while candidates record their answers on OMR sheets. This shift minimizes physical handling of papers, thereby enhancing security.

Reduced Reliance on Private Exam Centers: Currently, the NTA relies on government institutions and AICTE-approved centers to host exams. Private centers, enlisted by service providers to meet capacity needs, may pose security concerns. The committee suggests decreasing the use of these private facilities.

Focused Subject Selection for CUET: With over 50 subject options in CUET, the panel suggests reducing the number, arguing that board exams already test students on core subjects, and CUET should primarily assess general aptitude and minimal subject knowledge to rank candidates.

Multi-Stage NEET-UG Exams: Given the high number of applicants, the panel recommends conducting NEET-UG in two stages, much like JEE Main and JEE Advanced, to enhance security and manageability. This includes proposing a cap on the number of attempts per candidate to maintain exam integrity.

The committee includes notable experts, such as Dr. Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS Director; B J Rao, Hyderabad Central University Vice-Chancellor; Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus at IIT Madras; Pankaj Bansal, Member of the Karmayogi Bharat Board; IIT Delhi Professor Aditya Mittal; and Joint Secretary in the Education Ministry Govind Jaiswal.ams.