NEET Controversy: Ensure India’s Examination Integrity

The NEET-UG controversy has spotlighted the widespread issue of paper leaks, a malpractice that has plagued India for years. In the past seven years, there have been 70 confirmed exam leaks across 15 states, casting serious doubts on the integrity of the nation's examinations.

These leaks have disrupted the schedules of 1.7 crore applicants. The recent NEET-UG 2024 paper leak, affecting an all-India exam with over 24 lakh aspirants, underscores the considerable influence of the paper leak mafia over India's examination system.

What is the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET-UG)?

• NEET (UG) is one of the toughest medical entrance examinations conducted in India. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate (MBBS/BDS/Ayush Courses) every year. 
• The single national level undergraduate medical entrance exam, NEET, is held every year for admission to medical, dental,AYUSH, and  BVSc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science) and AH (Animal Husbandry) colleges in India.
• The NEET exam is conducted online and in 11 languages — English, Hindi, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, Marathi, Urdu Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, and Assamese. 
• Before the NTA, the test was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE).

Why is the NEET-UG Result 2024 Controversy? 

• Allegations of Misconduct : 
  • This year, on May 5, over 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG exam at 4,750 centres across 571 cities, including 14 international locations. 
  • The result was declared on June 4, which immediately caused a hue and cry with aspirants raising multiple issues, such as the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students, an unusually high number of students achieving perfect scores, and allegations of a leaked question paper.
  • The results showed that 67 students achieved a total score of 720, which is a higher percentage compared to the previous years' results. In 2023, only two students scored full marks, while three in 2022, two in 2021, and one in 2020.
  • It is alleged that six of the toppers had appeared for the exam at the same centre in Haryana.
• NTA’s Stance : 
  • NTA said that the number of candidates who appeared in the 2024 exam was almost 3 lakh more than the 2023 number, and “the increase in candidates naturally led to an increase in high scorers due to a larger pool of candidates.
  • Also, according to the NTA official, the 2024 NEET was “comparatively easier” than previous years.
  • It was argued that after the maximum marks of 720, the next highest score possible was 716, and that marks of 718 and 719 did not make sense. The NTA explained that some candidates, including six of the toppers, had got “compensatory marks for loss of time.
•  Supreme Court’s Ruling : 
  • The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it will conduct a retest for 1,563 students, who were given grace marks in the NEET-UG 2024. The re-exam was conducted on June 23.
  • The Supreme Court has decided not to stop the admissions counseling process. If any of the 1,563 candidates opt out of the retest, their previous marks without the grace marks will be used for the results.
• Government Stance : 
  • The Union Education Minister said the alleged irregularities in the recently held National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) was “an institutional failure of the National Testing Agency”.
  • The Central Government  announced a high-level committee, headed by former ISRO chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan, to look into the functioning and fair conduct examinations by the National Testing Agency (NTA). 
    • The seven-member committee will submit its report in two months.
  • The Union government removed the NTA chief and put him on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training..
  • The CBI has taken over the investigation of NEET UG following the discovery of evidence of a paper leak by investigators in Bihar.
  • Rules under The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 have been notified.

How Far Does the Public Examinations Act, 2024 Deal with Cheating in India?

Arguments in Favour

• Computer Based Test: 
  • The Rules lay down the full parameters of Computer Based Tests (CBT).
  • It covers from the registration of candidates, allocation of centres, and issue of admit cards to the opening and distribution of question papers, evaluation of answers, and the final recommendations.
• National Recruitment Agency's Role:
  • The central government’s National Recruitment Agency shall prepare the norms, standards, and guidelines for CBTs in consultation with stakeholders. Once finalised, these norms will be notified by the Centre.
  • Norms will include physical and digital infrastructure, SOPs, candidate check-in, biometric registration, security, invigilation, and post-exam activities.
• Centre Coordinator:
  • Appointed from the Central/State Government, PSUs, public sector banks, universities, or other government organizations.
  • The Centre Coordinator shall be the representative of the public examination authority for coordination of activities of the various service providers and the examination authority, and for overseeing the compliance of all norms, standards, and guidelines for the exam.
• Defining Public Examination Authorities:
  • Section 2(k) of The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 defines a “public examination” as “any examination conducted by the public examination authority” listed in the Schedule of the Act.
  • The Schedule lists public examination authorities which include UPSC, SSC, RRBs, IBPS, NTA, and other Central Government ministries/departments.
• Use of Unfair Means:
  • Section 3 of the Act lists 15 actions that amount to using unfair means in public examinations “for monetary or wrongful gain”.
  • It includes question paper leakage, tampering with answer sheets, and providing unauthorized solutions.
• Non-Bailable Provision in New Anti Cheating Law: 
  • The Act provides for punishment of a minimum of three to five years of imprisonment to curb cheating and for those involved in organised crimes of cheating will face five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.

Arguments Against the Law : 

• Existing Anti-Cheating Laws:
  • Critics argue severe punishment alone won't address cheating, as similar offences are already punishable under existing laws.
  • Several states have their own anti-cheating laws, but cheating persists, indicating limited effectiveness.
    • Examples include Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand.
• Prevalence of Organized Cheating:
  • Organized criminals with political ties often facilitate cheating, complicating enforcement.
  • Innovative cheating methods and high-profile arrests highlight the ongoing challenge
    • Examples include a Russian hacker breaching IIT entrance exams and candidates using Bluetooth devices to cheat.
• Focus on Punitive Measures: 
  • Some critics suggest that the focus on punitive measures against individuals involved in exam malpractice may overshadow the need for systemic reforms in education, curriculum, evaluation methods, and support systems for students.
• Declining Public Confidence:
  • Declining public confidence in the fairness and reliability of exams, leading to protests, litigation, and demands for reforms from various stakeholders.
  • Disputes and protests over exam results, such as the railway recruitment test, demonstrate the ongoing issues in the examination system should be addressed effectively.
• Discretion of State Governments:
  • While the act aims to serve as a model for states to adopt, the discretion given to state governments may lead to variations in implementation across different states.
    • This could potentially weaken the effectiveness of the law in preventing unfair means in public examinations.

What Should be the Steps Ahead to Ensure a Fair Examination System in India?

• Creation of a National Examination Integrity Council (NEIC): 
  • The government should consider the creation of a National Examination Integrity Council that would be responsible for overseeing the conduct of all major examinations across the country, ensuring uniform standards and practices. 
  • The Council may conduct regular audits to assess the effectiveness of examination processes and identify areas for improvement.
  • There should be strong governance in the form of foolproof and complete Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and their compliance.
• Transparent Recruitment and Accountability
  • Ensure that key positions within examination bodies are filled based on merit and integrity, reducing the chances of corruption and collusion.
  •  Implement robust whistleblower protection mechanisms to encourage reporting of malpractices without fear of retaliation.
• On-Demand Testing: 
  • Shift to an on-demand computer-based testing model similar to GRE, where students can schedule their exams at their convenience. This reduces the logistical burden of conducting exams for millions on a single day and mitigates the risk of leaks.
  •  Develop a large pool of questions for each subject, allowing the system to generate unique question papers for each candidate to minimize cheating opportunities.
• Digital Security Measures: 
  • Employ blockchain to create an immutable record of examination processes, from question paper setting to result declaration. This would ensure that any tampering is easily detectable.
  • Utilize state-of-the-art encryption techniques to protect question papers and candidate information from unauthorized access.
• Rigorous  Enforcement:
  • Reduce the invigilator-to-student ratio to ensure better supervision during exams.
  • The Public Examination Act,2024 should be rigorously enforced, with stringent penalties for malpractice, including fines, imprisonment, and lifetime bans from appearing in future exams for offenders
• Secure Transportation and Storage: 
  • Use tamper-evident packaging and GPS tracking for the transportation of physical examination materials. Storage facilities should be highly secure and monitored 24/7.
  • Install CCTV cameras in all examination centers, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all activities. Recorded footage should be reviewed in case of any disputes or allegations of malpractice.
• Post-Examination Processes:
  • Implement double-blind evaluation processes where multiple examiners independently grade the answer scripts. This reduces bias and errors.
  •  Establish a dedicated cell for quick resolution of discrepancies or grievances related to examination results.
• Reducing Exam Pressure:
  • Reduce over-reliance on single-day exams by incorporating continuous assessment, project work, and interviews as part of the evaluation process.
  • NEP 2020 seeks to transform learning assessments from a summative approach that primarily tests rote memorization to a more regular, formative, and competency-based system that evaluates higher-order skills such as analysis, critical thinking, and conceptual clarity.
• Cultural and Educational Shifts:
  • Conduct workshops and seminars on ethics and integrity for students, educators, and examination officials to instill the importance of honesty in examinations.
  • Launch awareness campaigns highlighting the repercussions of examination malpractices and promoting a culture of fairness and hard work.

Conclusion

By fostering a culture of integrity at every level—through enhanced surveillance, robust governance frameworks, and comprehensive stakeholder engagement—we can safeguard the sanctity of examinations. This vision not only protects the aspirations of millions of students but also strengthens India's educational foundation, paving the way for a more equitable and merit-based society.

Drishti Mains Question :  How effective will the Public Examinations Act,2024 be in combating cheating in India? What steps should be taken to ensure a fair examination system in the country?