Conduct of Competitive Exams in India: Issues, Challenges, and Reforms

The conduct of competitive examinations in India has emerged as a major governance challenge due to increasing scale, technological complexity, and high public stakes. The recent controversy surrounding the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 after a leaked “guess paper” circulated on WhatsApp affected nearly 2.3 million students and reignited concerns regarding transparency, security, and institutional accountability in India’s examination system.

Challenges in Conducting Competitive Examinations

Agency & Institutional Challenges

  • Weak Institutional Capacity: Agencies such as National Testing Agency (NTA), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and state recruitment boards manage examinations involving millions of candidates, creating administrative pressure.
  • Over-Reliance on Outsourcing: Sensitive ....
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