The government is considering a significant change to India’s top entrance exams — JEE Main and NEET — by aligning their difficulty levels more closely with the Class 12 syllabus. The step is aimed at reducing students’ heavy reliance on coaching institutes and ensuring that school education is sufficient for exam preparation.
Expert Panel’s Review Underway
A panel formed by the Ministry of Education is currently reviewing whether the current exam patterns match the Class 12 curriculum. “Some parents and faculty believe there is a mismatch, which forces students into expensive coaching,” said a source. The committee will submit recommendations that may lead to a revision of exam difficulty levels.
Addressing Coaching Dependence
The panel, headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, is studying key issues behind the booming coaching industry — including rote-based learning, lack of focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and the rise of “dummy schools.” It will also suggest ways to strengthen school education to prepare students better for higher studies.
Beyond Coaching: Career Guidance Focus
The committee is also tasked with evaluating the availability and effectiveness of career counselling in schools and improving awareness of multiple career options. This is seen as a crucial step to reduce the obsession with a few elite institutions and diversify student aspirations.
Panel Composition
The nine-member expert group includes representatives from CBSE, NCERT, IIT Madras, NIT Trichy, IIT Kanpur, and school principals from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and private institutions.
Why It Matters
India’s coaching ecosystem has been under intense scrutiny due to rising student suicides, safety issues, and inadequate teaching methods. Aligning entrance exams with school syllabi could reduce pressure, make the system more equitable, and bring the focus back to classroom learning.
If implemented, this move could mark one of the most significant reforms in India’s entrance exam ecosystem, reshaping how students prepare for higher education.
