India’s examination system is in urgent need of reform, as the attempt to create a “One Nation, One Examination” framework for admissions to higher education has failed to inspire confidence among either students or the institutions it is supposed to serve.

Repeated paper leaks, allegations of malpractice, and administrative lapses have exposed the weaknesses of concentrating the fate of millions of students in a handful of centrally administered tests.

Limits Of Centralisation

The idea of a common examination is not inherently flawed. India has demonstrated that it can successfully conduct nationwide competitive examinations. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) have, over decades, earned credibility through robust systems, institutional autonomy, and rigorous standards. Their examinations are generally regarded as fair, transparent, and professionally managed.

The same cannot be said of several other national entrance examinations. The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), in particular, has become a symbol of the risks associated with excessive centralisation. Allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities have repeatedly undermined public confidence, triggered widespread student protests, and generated intense political controversy. The controversy surrounding the examination became so severe that it ultimately claimed the political career of a Union minister.

Need For Stronger Institutions

Recognising the seriousness of the challenge, the government has moved to strengthen the legal framework through the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, which significantly amends the........

© Free Press Journal