The high-level committee appointed by the Centre to review conduct of examinations and functioning of the beleaguered National Testing Agency (NTA), has invited suggestions from stakeholders, particularly parents and students.
The committee chaired by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K. Radhakrishnan is looking into examination processes, enhancing data security protocols, and structure as well as operations of the NTA. It has sought feedback from stakeholders between June 27 and July 7 on innovateindia.mygov.in.
Also read: The allegations over NEET-UG 2024 | Explained
The seven-member committee formed on June 22 met for the first time earlier this week on June 24 at the Indian Institute of Technology-New Delhi to kickstart the reform process.
While the reform committee will accept suggestions till July 7, aspirants who sat for the medical entrance test NEET-UG, will have to undergo counselling process for allocation of seats from July 6 onwards.
Despite continuous protests by students over alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET, first information report (FIRs) being filed across multiple States and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launching a nationwide investigation, the top court has refused to stay the counselling process. The NTA is expected to file a detailed response in the top court on July 8.
While the students had raised suspicion over the increase in high scores in NEET, sources in the Ministry of Education said that the high scores was due to the question paper being simpler when compared to previous years.
“With many students getting similar high scores and inflated ranks, a tie-breaker formula will be applied in counselling and allocation of seats, where those who got higher marks in biology and so on will be given preference,” the source told The Hindu.
Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told the media on Friday that the government is ready to discuss the issue in Parliament. He also said that new dates for cancelled exams (such as UGC-NET and NEET-PG) will be announced soon.
“When the President herself spoke about the exam in her speech on Thursday, it shows the government’s intention that we are ready to face the issue… our responsibility is towards the youth, the students of the country. We are going to take the strictest action and the CBI is going to arrest everyone. We are hoping to discuss this issue in both Houses on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” Mr. Pradhan said.
Published - June 28, 2024 03:19 pm IST
