A delegation from the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) met with the chairman of the Centre’s high-level exam reform panel on Thursday to submit their suggestions for improving the National Testing Agency (NTA), according to a statement.
In their letter to panel chairperson K Radhakrishnan, the ABVP suggested conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) in two phases like the JEE, developing advanced infrastructure for exams, establishing exam centres at government institutions, and ensuring adequate staffing with permanent employees at the NTA.
The ABVP emphasized the need for administrative reforms within the NTA to ensure exam transparency and rebuild student confidence in the agency. They proposed uploading OMR sheets of the exams on the NTA website.
“Over the past two weeks, the ABVP has consulted students from various disciplines such as humanities, medical sciences, and engineering, compiling 42 suggestions for NTA reforms. These have now been submitted to the high-level committee overseeing NTA reforms,” said ABVP national general secretary Yagywalkya Shukla.
“It is crucial to resolve the issues plaguing the NTA promptly to restore trust in its examination processes. We hope the committee will take decisive action based on the ABVP’s recommendations,” he added.
The Centre established the seven-member panel, led by former ISRO chief Radhakrishnan, to recommend reforms in the examination process, enhance data security protocols, and review the structure and operations of the NTA.
This panel was formed following reports of alleged irregularities in some competitive exams conducted by the NTA. NEET-UG, in particular, has faced scrutiny over alleged paper leaks, and UGC-NET was canceled after the Ministry of Education received information about compromised exam integrity. Additionally, CSIR-UGC NET and NEET PG exams were canceled as a pre-emptive measure. The NTA has since announced new dates for some of these exams.
Also read: Bengal ABVP warns of intense agitation against NEET, NET irregularities