The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has submitted a set of recommendations on examination reforms to the High-Powered Task Force headed by Nandan Nilekani, proposing changes to the way major competitive examinations are designed and conducted.
The student organisation has suggested that major competitive examinations be conducted in two stages. Under the proposed model, the first stage would be used to shortlist candidates, while the second stage would determine the final selection.
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The ABVP has also recommended examining the feasibility of conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) twice a year. Under its proposal, candidates would be allowed to take the examination twice, with their better score being considered for selection.
The recommendations come amid an ongoing review of examination systems, including those conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The High-Powered Task Force was constituted in July to examine and recommend comprehensive reforms related to the conduct, security, design and governance of public examinations.
The task force had invited suggestions from students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders, with September 13 set as the deadline for submissions.
Among its other proposals, the ABVP has called for greater use of computer-based examinations and stronger safeguards for question papers. It has also suggested uniform national standards for examination centres to ensure consistency in infrastructure and procedures across different locations.
The student organisation has further recommended stronger candidate verification mechanisms and improved data protection measures. It has sought greater transparency in systems governing answer keys, normalisation and tie-breaking procedures.
The ABVP has also proposed independent security and process audits for examinations. According to the organisation, such audits could help assess vulnerabilities and identify gaps in examination procedures.
Other suggestions include creating a national question bank, expanding digital evaluation and establishing an integrated examination management system. The organisation has also proposed a central examination dashboard to bring examination-related information and processes under a unified system.
The ABVP said its recommendations were prepared after round-table conferences held in Pune, Nagpur, Bhopal, Delhi, Chandigarh and South Bihar. The discussions were aimed at understanding concerns raised by students and experts regarding the existing examination system.
The proposals cover several stages of the examination process, from question-paper preparation and candidate verification to evaluation and declaration of results. The organisation said the recommendations were intended to address concerns surrounding security, transparency and the management of large-scale public examinations.
Meanwhile, the NTA has shifted its headquarters from southeast Delhi’s Okhla area to Central Delhi’s Minto Road. The agency’s main office has moved to the fifth floor of the Government of India Press building.
In a public notice, the NTA informed candidates, students, educational institutions, stakeholders, service providers and the general public about the relocation and directed future official correspondence and communication to its new premises.
The recommendations submitted by the ABVP will form part of the broader consultation process being undertaken by the task force as it considers possible reforms to India’s public examination system.
The final recommendations of the task force will determine which proposals are taken forward and how any changes to examination procedures are implemented.
