The Centre has constituted an expert panel to evaluate whether the difficulty level of JEE and NEET entrance exams is aligned with the Class 12 curriculum. The move aims to address concerns about excessive reliance on coaching centres and fairness in competitive testing.
Expert Panel on JEE & NEET Difficulty: Review Scope
The nine-member panel, led by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, includes representatives from CBSE, NCERT, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, and school principals. The panel is analysing feedback and data from students, educators, and stakeholders to examine:
- The extent of mismatch between exam difficulty and school syllabus
- The role of coaching dependence among students
- Gaps in schooling system, particularly in logical reasoning and critical thinking skills
- Awareness of alternative career options and availability of career guidance
Their findings could inform recommendations to adjust the exam structure to reduce stress on students and lessen reliance on external coaching.
Key Concerns Under Investigation
Experts are focusing on several critical areas:
- Many students and parents argue that entrance exams include questions beyond the scope of Class 12 textbooks, pushing them toward coaching institutes.
- The panel will evaluate whether testing should lean more on conceptual understanding and reasoning rather than rote memorisation.
- It will also assess whether schooling systems across states are equally equipped to teach the depth of concepts required in JEE and NEET.
- Another dimension is whether students are adequately guided about multiple career paths, avoiding overemphasis on engineering and medicine.
Possible Outcomes & Implications
Depending on the review, the panel may suggest:
- Modifications in exam design, making questions more aligned with Class 12 syllabus
- Inclusion of critical thinking-based or application-based questions in school exams
- Strengthening of career counselling infrastructure in schools
- Guidelines to regulate or monitor coaching practices
If implemented, such changes could reduce pressure on students, especially in under-resourced schools, and make the exam ecosystem more equitable.
