Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A Parliamentary committee has recommended exploring the possibility of conducting separate entrance examinations for MBBS, AYUSH and Nursing courses instead of admitting students through a single common test, sources told India Today TV. The recommendations come in the wake of the NEET-UG paper leak earlier this year, which reignited concerns over the security and conduct of medical entrance examinations.
According to sources, the proposal was discussed during a recent meeting of the committee, where members argued that separate examinations could help reduce the massive number of candidates appearing for one entrance test and make the admission process more manageable.
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However, officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body which conducts entrance exams, informed the panel that introducing separate entrance examinations would not be feasible under the current admission framework, as admissions to MBBS, AYUSH and Nursing programmes are all based on National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) scores.
PANEL PROPOSES PHASED NEET EXAMS
The Parliamentary committee also recommended examining the feasibility of conducting NEET in multiple phases across different states.
According to sources, members argued that a phased examination could ease the logistical burden of conducting one of the country’s largest entrance tests on a single day while improving the overall management and security of the process.
The panel also reviewed the conduct of the recent NEET re-examination and appreciated the measures taken by the NTA to ensure its smooth and secure conduct.
SECURITY MEASURES DISCUSSED
During the meeting, NTA officials briefed the committee on a series of security enhancements introduced to safeguard the examination process.
Among the measures highlighted were restricting access to Telegram, monitoring WhatsApp channels to prevent the circulation of question papers and redesigning question papers to strengthen examination security.
The committee chairperson acknowledged these initiatives as significant efforts to make the examination process more robust and resistant to malpractice, sources said.
COMPUTER-BASED TEST UNDER CONSIDERATION
The meeting also discussed the possibility of transitioning NEET to a computer-based format in the future.
While members were open to the proposal in principle, they stressed that such a shift should only be considered after ensuring adequate digital infrastructure across the country.
The committee emphasised that all necessary technical and administrative preparations must be completed well in advance to ensure candidates from all regions have equal access and are not disadvantaged by infrastructure gaps.
The NEET-UG exam originally conducted on May 3 was cancelled by the government following the paper leak and was re-conducted on June 21. The CBI is probing the paper leak.
The Parliamentary panel is examining further measures to improve transparency, efficiency and fairness in the examination system while strengthening safeguards against leaks and other malpractices in future entrance tests.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
