ABVP proposes 2-stage exams to Nilekani reform panel

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, calling for greater transparency, stronger security measures and a two-stage system for major competitive examinations.

The student organisation said its recommendations were based on consultations with students and experts during round-table conferences held in Pune, Nagpur, Bhopal, Delhi, Chandigarh and South Bihar.

The recommendations cover immediate, medium-term and long-term reforms aimed at making competitive examinations, including NEET, more transparent, secure and student-friendly, it said.

A key proposal is to conduct major competitive examinations in two stages, with the first stage used to shortlist candidates and the second for final selection, they said.

The ABVP has also suggested exploring the feasibility of conducting NEET twice a year, with the better score being considered, saying this could reduce students’ dependence on a single high-stakes examination.  Among other recommendations are greater use of computer-based examinations, stronger question-paper security, uniform national standards for examination centres and robust candidate verification and data protection mechanisms.

The organisation has also sought transparent systems for answer keys, normalisation and tie-breaking, besides clear protocols to deal with technical and administrative failures, including re-examination wherever necessary.

It has proposed independent security and process audits, creation of a national question bank, digital evaluation, an integrated examination management system and a central examination dashboard.