Multiple attempts at high-stakes entrance tests, better centres top reform wish list

NewsIndia NewsMultiple attempts at high-stakes entrance tests, better centres top reform wish list Multiple attempts at high-stakes entrance tests, better centres top reform wish list NEW DELHI: A single bad day should not decide a student's future - and a poorly equipped examination centre should not ruin it.

These concerns feature in thousands of suggestions received by the high-powered task force set up to overhaul India's examination system.The panel, led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, has been consulting stakeholders ahead of its next meeting, scheduled after the Brics summit.

It will begin examining reform proposals, sources said.Constituted amid paper leaks, cancelled tests and infrastructure failures, the task force is examining examination security, technology, infrastructure, accessibility, student well-being and testing-agency reforms.

Suggestions invited from citizens until Sept 13 will be compiled into a detailed report. A prominent demand is to give candidates multiple attempts at high-stakes entrance tests.Manojranjan Nayak, founder-president of Siksha 'O' Anusandhan, a deemed-to-be university, said: "Examination reform must move beyond making a flawed system more efficient.

Multiple attempts can reduce the disproportionate cost of one bad day, but they should be combined with secure, accessible and uniformly equipped centres, transparent evaluation and greater weight for sustained learning.

Join conversation InsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig Development Technology can improve reliability, but it must not create a new divide between candidates with different levels of digital access.

The real test of reform is whether every student, regardless of geography or income, gets a fair and dignified opportunity to demonstrate ability."Poor infrastructure at testing centres is another concern. Examinations at a Jaipur centre were disrupted by power failures on two consecutive days, affecting candidates and raising questions about how centres are selected and monitored.The issue is more urgent as agencies expand computer-based testing.

NTA has written to the education ministry organisations seeking suitable centres. Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app. Manash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance.

Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact.

Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change. Rajasthan Civic Polls: BJP Dominates, But AAP, CPM Wins BIG Alarm For Congress Ahead Of 2028 UPI ₹2,000 Rule Explained: Will You Pay Extra For ₹5,000 Or ₹10,000 Payments?

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