Aspiration to Reality
The appointment
of Mr. Nandan Nilekani as Head of the High-Powered Task Force to overhaul
India’s examination system has generated hope across the nation. His proven
record — from co-founding Infosys to architecting Aadhaar — assures us of his
ability to lead with vision and integrity. Yet, as the committee begins its
work, several pressing concerns demand attention.
Revisiting Past Recommendations
An earlier
seven-member High-Level Committee, headed by former ISRO Chief K. Radhakrishnan and
comprising stalwarts such as directors of IITs, IIMs, and NITs,
vice-chancellors of JNU and IGNOU, and a former UPSC chairman, submitted its report titled 'The Reformation of National Common Entrance Testing in India' in October 2024, and offered valuable suggestions.
- How many of those recommendations
were adopted?
- Are they still relevant today?
Revisiting them
would prevent duplication and ensure continuity.
The Public
Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 is now in force to curb
misconduct in public examinations and common entrance tests across the country.
Administrators should showcase how many culprits have been caught and punished
under this law so far.
The Real Challenge: Implementation
India’s
heterogeneous demography and varied geography make implementation far more
difficult than planning. Citizens often follow rules only under compulsion or
fear of punishment.
In recent NEET
examinations, malpractice cases surfaced, yet few culprits were caught or
punished. Without visible accountability, reforms remain paper-bound.
What is needed is
the selection of capable and committed personnel, rigorous training, and the
building of a robust system that institutionalises the cycle of design →
develop → implement → evaluate, connected by feedback loops.
To protect the
integrity of examinations, responsibility must be entrusted not merely to the
qualified but to those tested and proven reliable.
Accountability Must Begin at the Top
Accountability is
inseparable from responsibility. Those who shoulder the responsibility of
conducting examinations must also be held accountable for any lapse.
The credibility
of examination systems like NEET depends on visible justice. Offenders must be
punished — and seen to be punished. Accountability should be top-down: severe
action against high-ranking officials who fail in their duties will send a
strong deterrent signal. Strong actions against both direct culprits and
negligent administrators must be showcased.
Nilekani’s Stature and Missed Opportunity
Mr. Nilekani has
already passed the test of “Who you are?” years ago. He built Infosys,
handed over leadership gracefully, and spearheaded Aadhaar — a project of
national significance.
Yet, when he
sought to enter Parliament, the people defeated him. That is the beauty of
democracy — we respect its verdict. But Parliament, the very place where laws
are enacted and national priorities debated, lost the chance to benefit from
his vision.
Hope to see Nandan
Nilekani and leaders of his calibre in the Rajya Sabha, serving the nation with
vision and integrity.
Closing Note
Reform is not
only about designing systems but about proving reliability through action.
Committees must include not just thinkers and planners, but also those who will
implement outcomes on the ground — or at the very least, take valuable
suggestions from implementers. Only then will NEET reforms move from aspiration
to reality.
Dr. Mahendra Ingale @
Pune on July 27, 2026
Author of Value‑Based Leadership
#AspirationToReality
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