New Delhi: A parliamentary panel has recommended that the National Testing Agency (NTA) explore a two-stage examination process for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) and other large entrance examinations to reduce unnecessary competition among students seeking admission to different courses.
According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports made the suggestion in a detailed report on the NTA’s functioning. The panel said public trust in examinations conducted by the agency was a matter of social justice and national integrity.
The committee also called for a parliamentary framework to ensure greater accountability of the agency. In its report, it said, “The education department may introduce an appropriate parliamentary framework that ensures NTA’s accountability to Parliament.”
Panel suggests common prelims, course-specific mains for NEET UG
The panel noted that the Civil Services Examination follows a multi-stage process to shortlist candidates, while NEET UG remains a single-stage examination for admissions to MBBS, BDS, nursing, and AYUSH courses. The test caters to more than 22 lakh students, making the admission process highly competitive.
“The Committee is of the view that NTA should examine the feasibility of a two-stage format for its large examinations, such as having a common prelims examination for all medical streams while conducting specialised mains stage for specific courses, so that a candidate seeking nursing or AYUSH is tested and ranked apart from one seeking admission to MBBS, reducing avoidable competition,” the panel suggested.
Under the proposed format, students could appear for a common preliminary test before taking a specialised mains examination based on the course they wish to pursue. The recommendation is a proposal for the NTA to examine, rather than an announced change to the existing examination system.
NTA urged to strengthen question banks to prevent paper leaks
The committee also recommended that the NTA invest in a large and regularly updated question bank to reduce the risk of paper leaks. It said repeatedly using the same questions or asking examiners to prepare fresh papers every year could create vulnerabilities in the examination process.
“The Committee, therefore, is of the view that NTA should invest in building a large, diverse, and continuously updated question bank which can be drawn on to set papers without the advance knowledge of the question-setters,” the panel added.
The report further recommended involving experts from leading institutions, including IITs, AIIMS and IIMs, in developing question banks and translating examination papers.
The committee also suggested that candidates arriving late at examination centres should be allowed to take the test after submitting an undertaking.
