Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on November 12 that the central government will implement significant reforms in entrance examinations across the country starting January 2025. Pradhan urged state governments to collaborate with the centre to ensure error-free exams, as reported by PTI.
Pradhan highlighted the recommendations put forth by the Radhakrishnan Committee, which reviewed the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) operations and proposed improvements to make exam processes more robust and transparent. He stressed the importance of state cooperation in effectively implementing these reforms, especially in enhancing examination integrity and reliability.
He told reporters during a national workshop attended by education secretaries from various states and Union territories, "I have appealed to all state government education secretaries. A new entrance exam series for the upcoming year will begin in January. Based on last year's experiences, the government has introduced numerous reforms”.
The Centre formed the Radhakrishnan Committee in June amid concerns over irregularities in national exams, notably NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) and UGC-NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test). NEET had faced accusations of question paper leaks, while the UGC-NET was cancelled following concerns about exam integrity. Both cases are under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The panel, chaired by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, included prominent figures like Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi, and Professor B J Rao, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad. The committee was tasked with strengthening exam security protocols, improving paper-setting procedures, and proposing a framework for error-free examinations.
According to Pradhan, the Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations are largely focused on bolstering NTA’s operational efficiency. The report suggests a gradual shift towards online examinations, a hybrid model with digitally transmitted question papers, and a multi-stage format for NEET-UG to reduce student stress and enhance assessment accuracy. Furthermore, the committee has advised streamlining subject options in CUET (Common University Entrance Test) to focus on core subjects and general aptitude.
The proposed changes also include stricter controls for examination centre selection and an increase in permanent staffing at the NTA to ensure consistent, secure processes.
"The report mainly focuses on strengthening the NTA. There are recommendations to make the examination centre selection process foolproof, addressing previous loopholes in the system. Recommendations have also been made regarding the type of examination to be conducted and the necessary dos and don’ts to ensure effectiveness," Pradhan emphasised.
These reforms, Pradhan added, represent a joint commitment from both the central and state governments to make entrance exams a fair and error-free experience, enhancing trust in India’s education assessment framework.