2 hrs ago
Panel Seeks Exam-Day Rally Curbs and Late Entry Relaxation
A parliamentary group has suggested changes to make exam days less stressful for students.
It wants local officials to stop large rallies or gatherings from disrupting travel to important exams.
The group also says students who are a little late for genuine reasons should be allowed to enter after signing a note.
They would still have to finish at the normal end time, so they would not get extra minutes.
The panel also wants checking and paperwork to happen outside the exam itself.
These ideas are part of a report about improving the National Testing Agency.
The report followed concerns about a NEET paper leak and problems with exam administration.
A parliamentary panel recommended barring permission for rallies, processions and large gatherings on major examination days.
It proposed amending the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to formalize the restrictions and require advance traffic and law-and-order arrangements.
The panel said candidates arriving late for genuine reasons should be allowed to enter after signing an undertaking, but receive only the remaining exam time.
It recommended a separate 15-minute window before or after exams for invigilators’ signing and checking formalities.
The recommendations are part of a report on National Testing Agency reforms, following the NEET paper-leak controversy and allegations of administrative lapses.
- Who
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Mukul Wasnik.
- What
- It recommended exam-day restrictions on public gatherings, a limited late-entry mechanism and a separate window for exam formalities.
- Where
- India; the report was submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman.
- When
- The report was submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman on Friday, October 11.
- Why
- The panel said gatherings can delay candidates and disrupt examinations, while late arrivals may have genuine causes and in-exam formalities can disturb students.
Key facts
- Report
- Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Committee
- Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports
- Chair
- Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik
- Proposed legal change
- Amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Late candidates
- Entry after signing an undertaking; no extra time beyond the remaining exam duration
- Exam formalities
- A separate 15-minute window before or after the test
- Context
- NEET paper-leak controversy and allegations of NTA administrative lapses
Quotes
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports
The parliamentary committee chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik.
“The committee recommends that the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 be amended to direct district administration to withhold permission for any rally, procession, or any other public gathering on examination days, and to ensure that smooth traffic and law-and-order arrangements are in place well in advance, so that no candidate is affected by an avoidable, external disturbance.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“The committee is of the view that some mechanism be evolved such that students be allowed entry into the exam hall after signing an undertaking recording their late arrival and be allowed to attempt the exam only for the remaining time, with no extra time granted under any circumstances.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Supreme Court Plans NTA Visit, Demands Permanent Exam Reforms
Parliamentary Panel Seeks NTA Accountability and Major NEET Reforms
Supreme Court May Inspect NTA Office Amid NEET Reform Push
Parliamentary Panel Urges NTA Reforms to Strengthen Exam Security
Nilekani Task Force Holds 58 Meetings on Exam Reforms
SBI Research Calls for Separate Law Governing NTA
Congress Says Panel Report Exposes NTA Failings, Urges Reforms
Auroville Farm Faces Eviction Threat Over Proposed IIT-Madras Campus
Meenakshi Natarajan May Take Leave, Telangana In-Charge Change Likely
