NEW DELHI: The high-powered task force set up by the Centre to overhaul India’s public examination system has opened a nationwide consultation Friday, seeking suggestions from students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders on making high-stakes tests more secure, transparent and student-friendly.The panel, headed by Infosys co-founder and technology expert Nandan Nilekani, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month amid heightened scrutiny of the examination system following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and youth protests over alleged lapses in test conduct.The announcement had come a day after the Centre accepted the demands raised by the youth-led CJP, whose protests over the NEET leak included calls for then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation and withdrawal of FIRs against protesters.“The High-Powered Task Force on Reforms in Public Examinations wants to hear from students, parents, teachers — every citizen,” a senior official said on Friday.The public consultation will remain open till September 13, with citizens allowed to send suggestions through WhatsApp, a dedicated website, email and a toll-free number.Officials said the task force is examining reforms across the examination chain — from institutional processes and question-paper security to use of technology and strengthening of examination infrastructure.It will also look at measures to improve accessibility and inclusion, while factoring in student well-being during the examination process.“The objective is to develop a public examination system that is robust, secure, transparent, equitable and future-ready,” the official said.
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The exercise assumes significance after repeated controversies surrounding national-level entrance and eligibility examinations raised questions over paper security, examination management and the ability of testing agencies to respond quickly to irregularities.Apart from Nilekani, the task force includes former ISRO chairman S Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras director V Kamakoti, former education secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.The panel is expected to recommend both immediate safeguards and longer-term structural changes in the way public examinations are designed, administered and secured.
