The UGC (University Grants Commission) is trying to build consensus on merging two of the largest and most important exams in India (JEE and NEET) into the CUET (Central University Entrance Test). The rationale for doing this is to reduce student burden / hassle in appearing for multiple exams while also easing the logistical burden on the organizing body (NTA).
Many experts
feel that the move may not go as planned as this years CUET was marred with
issues and controversies. The organizing body faced several logistical
challenges in conducting a multi subject exam for more than 1.4 million
aspirants. Several exam slots were cancelled, and hundreds of students faced
issues while appearing for the test. The consensus is that the NTA (National
Testing Agency) was ill-equipped in managing the new pattern of the exam and
major revamps were required in the overall code of conduct of the exam.
Veterans from
academia are also questioning the UGC’s stance on combining two exams which
need to fundamentally evaluate very distinctive skill sets while having a
common knowledge base. The JEE and NEET need to be differentiated in their
difficulty, type of questions and pattern despite having common subjects (both
exams have physics & chemistry sections, the NEET additionally tests
biology while the JEE tests mathematics). The shift may also have a drastic
impact on admission cut-offs and competition as more students will be given the
choice of opting for multiple streams.
The centre
needs to critically evaluate the impact of merging the JEE and NEET before
taking its decision. Rushed consensus in creating educational frameworks may
adversely impact the future of millions of candidates.
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