Too many exams, too much cost: the strain of India's testing culture

The brief in 5 cards

1. Note1 / 5

   WHY IN NEWS?

   • A Hindu opinion piece warns of "examination overload" in India.
   • Entrance, eligibility and recruitment tests have multiplied, each with fees, coaching and travel costs.
   • It argues this harms fairness, institutional credibility and young people's well-being.
   • The writer calls for fewer redundant exams and better assessment in schools and universities.
2. Note2 / 5

   THE COSTS

   • Money: Families pay for application fees, coaching and accommodation. A national survey reported that about 27% of students had taken private coaching, with urban spending well above rural.
   • Inequality: Wealthier students can afford better preparation; students in remote areas must travel to cities.
   • Learning: Drill-based coaching can replace understanding with test technique.
   • Time: Repeated attempts at recruitment exams delay jobs and independence.
   • Trust: The NEET-UG 2024 controversy and the cancellation of UGC-NET in June 2024 shook confidence in testing.
3. Note3 / 5

   KEY CONCEPTS

   1. What is the National Testing Agency?

   An autonomous body set up in 2017 to conduct major entrance exams such as JEE Main, NEET-UG and CUET.

   2. What did the Radhakrishnan Committee recommend?

   Set up in 2024 after exam controversies, it proposed reforms to NTA, including more computer-based testing, tighter security and better vendor checks.

   3. What is the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024?

   It sets heavy penalties, including jail terms and fines, for paper leaks and organised cheating in public exams.

   4. What is PARAKH?

   A national assessment centre under NCERT, created under NEP 2020, to set standards for student assessment across boards.

4. Note4 / 5

   STUDENT WELL-BEING

   • Studies report higher stress and depression among students in intensive coaching.
   • In 2024, the Education Ministry issued guidelines regulating coaching centres, including a minimum age for enrolment and counselling support.
   • The National Suicide Prevention Strategy, 2022 lists students as a priority group.
   • Support is available through Tele-MANAS, the national mental health helpline (14416).
5. Note5 / 5

   WAY FORWARD

   These are the writer's suggestions, not adopted policy.

   • Strengthen school and university exams with external audits and moderation.
   • Cut duplication by merging overlapping entrance tests.
   • Use balanced selection: combine Class XII marks with limited subject tests.
   • Secure exams through encryption, biometrics and cybersecurity audits.
   • Help the disadvantaged with low fees, local centres and regional-language support.
   • Expand seats in quality public universities and medical colleges.

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