The NTA (National Testing Agency) has been given the responsibility of conducting some of the largest and most important competitive exams in the country. The body organized the NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test), the JEE (Joint Entrance Exam) Mains and the CUET (Central University Entrance Test) this year. With a combined applicant pool of more than 4 million students it was a mammoth task to organize and manage candidates at this scale. The body has been facing severe backlash over the past few weeks due to the numerous issues which plagued all three exams (NEET, JEE Mains & CUET)

Key Issues Which Plagued The NEET, JEE Mains & CUET

•There were reported instances of malpractices and candidate impersonation during the NEET exam on 17th July 2022. The police have arrested several people involved in the scandal

•A major issue was reported during the NEET exam in Kollam where female candidates were forced to remove their innerwear with metal hooks in the name of frisking

•One NEET exam center in Rajasthan distributed the wrong question paper to candidates. A re-exam is being conducted for the center

•Several exam slots for the CUET Phase 2 exams were cancelled and rescheduled to August 12th, 2022

•Various students reported system related / server issues during both CUET phase 1 and 2 exams

•JEE Mains candidates reported technical issues due to which questions could not be properly displayed (these were majorly reported during the phase 1 of the exam)

The barrage of issues raises several questions on the efficacy of the body (NTA) in conducting such major exams. It is high time the authorities investigate the issues and provide timely resolution to the affected students. The NTA was constituted by the Union Council of Ministers and was established in 2017 to conduct various entrance exams in the country.