Undoubtedly, conducting examinations properly has become a major challenge in our education system. It urgently needs to be protected from the cancer of paper leaks.
Following the 2024 paper leak, the 2026 paper leak during the NEET exam prevented 2.3 million young people from taking the exam again. The exam was conducted a second time, but at least 22 young men and women, unable to muster the courage to take it a second time, committed suicide. This is a very serious matter.
A resounding youthful revolt against this was witnessed at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Anger spread throughout the country’s Gen Z community. The Education Minister was forced to resign.
To prevent paper leaks, the establishment of fast-track courts was announced to punish those responsible, and a committee of experts was formed to suggest measures for exam reform. However, experts say that alongside exam reform, the education system must also be reformed, and this should begin at the school level. Interaction between teachers and students should be increased.
Meanwhile, another important exam is approaching.
Now, students across the country will sit for the NEET-PG, a MD and MS degree program. This exam is scheduled for August 30th. 2.73 lakh students have already registered for it.
These candidates are eagerly anticipating the government’s changes to the exam system to prevent paper leaks and prevent the lives of young people from being jeopardized again. The government is undoubtedly aware of this situation after all this and the resignation of a Union Minister.
Announcements regarding the changes the government has made to conduct this exam have also begun. Consider the significance of these announcements.
The first major announcement is that the 2026 exam will be conducted in a single shift. Candidates can choose their exam center near their home or in three nearby states, but their own state will be their primary choice.
They may be given the option of choosing a different city within their own state. The allocation of exam centers for candidates will now be computer-based, eliminating human intervention. This will eliminate any possibility of any student unfairly receiving their preferred center.
This time, the centers will be announced three weeks in advance so that students can easily go there and make arrangements for their food and accommodation.
Entry into the exam hall will also be made easier. Aadhaar cards will be used for identification, and biometric verification will also be required.
Students will arrive at the exam center two to three hours in advance. Even if fingerprints are not available, their iris will be scanned.
Education experts question whether calling students to the exam center two to three hours in advance and subjecting them to this scrutiny will disrupt their immediate exam preparation.
There will be extensive security measures. CCTV cameras and jammers will be installed, and over 60,000 personnel will be deployed.
The exam will last 210 minutes, and the paper will be divided into three parts. Correct answers will earn +4 marks, and incorrect answers -1 mark. Missing a question will result in zero marks.
The exam will not be halted in case of an emergency; alternative arrangements will be in place. Students have also been urged not to believe rumors that the paper has been leaked. Instead of panicking, they should take the exam with confidence.