Archive · 27 Aug 2026
Government Panel Finds School Curriculum Gaps Driving NEET-JEE Coaching Dependence
A government panel studied why many students use coaching centres for medical and engineering entrance exams.
It found that school lessons do not always prepare students for the harder questions in NEET and JEE.
NEET Physics appeared especially difficult compared with what the average student was ready to answer.
JEE questions were also found to be harder than most candidates’ preparation.
Because of this difference, coaching becomes almost necessary for many students.
The panel wants school subjects to better match the skills tested in these exams.
It also suggested leaving six months between board exams and entrance tests.
The report is still being considered, so none of these changes has been officially adopted.
A government panel found a substantial gap between school learning and NEET-UG and JEE requirements.
The panel said both examinations are harder than the preparedness of the average candidate, with NEET Physics showing the widest disparity.
Analysis of NEET papers from 2023 to 2025 found Physics considerably harder for candidates than Biology.
The committee’s review of 10 JEE shifts in January 2025 found scores concentrated toward the lower end.
The draft report recommends aligning curricula, allowing a six-month gap after board exams, and holding entrance tests twice yearly.
- Who
- A government committee examining students’ dependence on coaching centres, with the report under consideration by the Ministry of Education.
- What
- The committee found a substantial gap between school curricula and the difficulty and skills tested by NEET-UG and JEE.
- When
- The analysis covered NEET papers from 2023, 2024 and 2025, and 10 JEE shifts held over five days in January 2025.
- Where
- India’s school and national entrance-examination system.
- Why
- The panel said advanced conceptual understanding, application-based learning and problem-solving demands in the exams exceed routine school instruction.
- Report status
- The draft report is under consideration by the Ministry of Education; its recommendations have not been adopted.
- NEET analysis
- The committee studied NEET-UG papers from 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- NEET concern
- Physics showed the widest gap between examination difficulty and candidate preparedness in all three years.
- JEE analysis
- The committee examined 10 JEE shifts conducted over five days in January 2025.
- Main finding
- Both NEET-UG and JEE were assessed as being above the preparedness level of the average candidate.
- Curriculum proposal
- The panel recommended aligning NCERT and state and national board curricula with NEET and JEE competencies.
- Timing proposals
- The draft report proposed at least six months between board exams and entrance tests, plus at least two entrance-exam attempts each year.