Recommendations of K Radhakrishnan Panel on India’s National Entrance Exams

Source: The post Recommendations of K Radhakrishnan Panel on India’s National Entrance Exams has been created, based on the article “Express View on exam reform recommendations: Test, not stress” published in “Indian Express” on 23rd December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education

Context: The article discusses the problems in India’s national entrance exams, including paper leaks and delays. It highlights K Radhakrishnan panel’s recommendations to improve transparency, security, and efficiency, such as reducing the NTA’s role, improving infrastructure, and using digital systems to ensure fairness for all candidates.

What are the problems in India’s national entrance exams?

1. Frequent Paper Leaks: In the last five years, 41 paper leaks across 15 states affected 1.4 crore candidates.
2. Postponements and Cancellations: In 2024, NEET and UGC-NET faced delays due to compromised integrity.
3. Delays in Results: CUET results were delayed for the third consecutive year, causing challenges for students.
4. Overburdened NTA: The NTA conducted 244 exams since 2018, with candidates increasing from 67 lakh (2019-202
5. Technological Glitches: Poor user interfaces and inadequate support systems, like CUET’s glitches, highlighted infrastructure gaps.

For detailed information on National Testing Agency (NTA) read this article here

What recommendations did K Radhakrishnan’s panel propose?

1. Reducing NTA’s Role:

• The panel suggested that the National Testing Agency (NTA) should only conduct entrance exams, not recruitment tests.
• Since 2018, the NTA has conducted 244 exams, with the number of registered candidates doubling from 67 lakh (2019-2021) to 122 lakh (2022-2023).

2. Improving Exam Security:

• The panel recommended a tiered collaboration between the Centre and states, similar to election management, for securing exams.
• It proposed adopting a “digi-exam” system inspired by DigiYatra for biometric candidate verification.

3. Modernizing Exam Methods:

• A shift to computer-adaptive testing was suggested, where questions match the ability of candidates.

Why is a digital overhaul necessary, and what challenges exist?

1. Need for Digital Infrastructure: The panel stressed creating robust security systems and accessible digital platforms. Examples like CUET glitches show that tech-driven reforms need careful planning.
2. Ensuring Equity: It emphasized making the systems user-friendly to avoid creating inequalities. Every candidate should be able to navigate the processes without stress or confusion.

Question for practice:

Discuss the challenges faced by India’s national entrance exams and the recommendations proposed by the K Radhakrishnan panel to address them.