NEET, CBSE, CUET — the alphabet soup is becoming more unpalatable by the day. The disruption of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) has again exposed the fragility of India’s digital exam infrastructure. A technical glitch delayed the start of the test, forcing more than 3,700 candidates to leave their centres. Left red-faced for the second time in a month, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that these examinees would get a one-time opportunity to reappear. Even though about 95 per cent of the candidates eventually completed the exam, the distressing incident raises questions about preparedness during a high-stakes national test. It’s obvious that over-reliance on complex outsourced digital systems without sufficient on-ground safeguards can be perilous.
The NTA is already under fire after a question paper leak led to the cancellation of the May 3 NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test). The matter is being probed by the CBI, while the NTA has decided to conduct the exam in the computer-based mode from next year. Ironically, the leak happened even though paper-setting took place in a “highly secure” premises where phones/laptops and other electronic devices were not supposed to be allowed and there was mandatory shredding of all notes. Even “trusted” insiders are under suspicion — this shows that the rot runs very deep.
Another national-level academic body, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), is in a spot over the on-screen marking system. An embarrassing mix-up of answer sheets has been flagged by several students. These back-to-back controversies indicate that transparency and accountability have taken a big hit in the education sector. As the clamour for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation gets louder, the Modi government faces the onerous task of restoring public confidence in India’s exam ecosystem.
