Issue with University Admissions

Source: The post issue with university admissions has been created, based on the article “The rot in India’s higher education system” published in “The Hindu” on 1st July 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education, Human Resources

Context: The article discusses the delays in university admissions due to the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) Common University Entrance Test (CUET) system. It highlights issues faced by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and critiques the centralization of entrance exams, affecting university autonomy and efficiency.

For detailed on Issues and trends in India’s higher education system read this article here

What is the Issue with University Admissions?

1. Introduction of CUET: The academic year 2022-23 saw significant delays in university admissions due to the introduction of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
2. Impact on PhD Admissions: Initially, CUET was planned for PhD admissions but was dropped in September 2022. Despite this, PhD admissions were only completed by mid-March 2023, a delay of eight months.
3. JNU’s Challenges: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which used to complete admissions by August 14 each year, faced issues due to CUET. JNU has a long-standing tradition of conducting its entrance exams, ensuring a smooth process for nearly 50 years without incidents of cheating or paper leaks.

What Changes Were Made in Regulations?

1. Introduction of UGC Regulations, 2022: In November 2022, the Gazette of India notified the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2022. These regulations allowed universities to conduct their own PhD entrance exams again.
2. Anticipated Autonomy: Several central universities, with established admission tests, expected to return to their traditional exam formats due to these new regulations.
3. Continued NTA Influence: Despite the regulatory changes, some university heads, influenced by NTA-friendly policies, continued to use NTA for PhD entrance exams. For example, JNU was part of a consortium with Delhi University and Jamia Millia Islamia, adhering to the NTA’s guidelines even after the regulation change.
4. Controversial UGC Decision: In March 2024, the UGC issued a non-binding notice that only the June 2024 UGC-NET scores would count for this year’s PhD admissions. This decision lacks clear documentation and official approval, as reflected in the absence of recorded explanations in the UGC’s meeting minutes.

How will all this impact higher education?

1. Reduced Autonomy: The NTA’s control over entrance exams has diminished the autonomy of universities like JNU, which previously managed its own efficient and leak-proof admission processes for nearly 50 years.
2. Potential for Declining Trust: The confusion and lack of transparency in decisions, such as the UGC’s abrupt change in admission criteria for PhD programs, could erode student confidence in the fairness and integrity of the higher education system.

Question for practice:

Examine how the introduction of the CUET by the NTA and subsequent regulatory changes have impacted university admissions and autonomy in India’s higher education system.