Commitment Beyond Rules…

 Commitment Beyond Rules…

(Continuation of “Seeing Beyond the Noise…”)

In 2017, a five‑judge bench of the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment mandating a unified medical entrance test — NEET. Initially, the responsibility of conducting NEET was entrusted to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Later, in 2019, with the establishment of the National Testing Agency (NTA), this responsibility was formally transferred to the new body. The intent was clear: to create a single, transparent, and fair examination system for medical aspirants across India.

Yet, despite these structural reforms, challenges to integrity have persisted. This highlights that the real issue lies not only in the technology or structure of the test, but in the human element behind its conduct.

The Human Element:

Authorities who sincerely wish to conduct NEET and other such examinations with integrity must entrust responsibility to individuals who demonstrate unwavering dedication. Identifying such individuals with strong commitment is a great challenge. 

Great leaders succeeded not only because of their vision, but because they chose associates who were willing to sacrifice everything for the cause. 

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is one such example. His mavale — Tanaji Malusare, Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Murar Baji, Yesaji Kank — fought and gave their lives for Swarajya. Their sacrifice inspired countless others to continue the struggle.

Examinations like NEET demand individuals of similar integrity and commitment — those who will safeguard the process as if it were their own honour. The challenging task is to search for them, identify them, and entrust them with responsibility.

Accountability is inseparable from responsibility. Those who shoulder the responsibility of conducting examinations must also be held accountable for any lapse. Hence, before shouldering the responsibility, they should reflect and introspect: 

Do I have the ability, integrity, and courage to stand firm? 

If not, they must have the courage to say “No” to the responsibility. 

Serving in such a system is not ornamental. It is a mantle of duty — heavy with expectation, requiring sacrifice, vigilance, and moral strength.

Leadership Conduct:

As I have written in my book Value-Based Leadership: “For the fulfillment of objectives, the sacrifices made by leaders, the price they pay, and the values they uphold — when these are visible to colleagues, they inspire a higher level of commitment towards the organization.”

These insights are drawn from practice. Over four decades as an educator, I shouldered the responsibility of conducting examinations with integrity. At times it was challenging; at other times I paid the price for standing firm.

The conduct of leaders sets the tone for the entire system. When values are lived, not merely spoken, they inspire trust and commitment in everyone involved.

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune, May 25, 2026

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