In 2017, the Ministry of Education established the National Testing Agency (NTA) to centralize the conduct of entrance examinations and recruitment processes. The aim was to enhance transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in these exams. However, since the NTA took over, numerous discrepancies have been reported by students. Some students complain about the high fees for certain exams, while others have issues with the examination centers, often finding them to be located far from their homes. There are also complaints about the online exam process, including malfunctioning computers and internet issues.
One of the major concerns is related to the issuance of admit cards. Previously, admit cards were released about 10-12 days before the exam, but now they are often released only 3-4 days prior, causing significant inconvenience for students who struggle to book travel tickets in time.
The most alarming news came yesterday when the NTA announced the cancellation of the UGC NET examination due to compromised integrity. This has caused significant distress among students, as the cancellation implies serious issues. Many students had dedicated a considerable amount of time to preparation and made extra efforts to travel to different cities for the exam. This situation is particularly burdensome for marginalized students, for whom six months of preparation and an investment of 500 rupees are significant.
Similarly, abnormalities have been reported in the NEET exam. Numerous students have claimed that their OMR sheets were tampered with, resulting in much lower marks than expected. There are also allegations of flaws in the allotment of grace marks.
When the central agency of a country operates with such casualness, it raises crucial questions about the future of the lakhs of students who rely on the system for their academic and professional prospects.
