JEE, NEET twice a year, and other changes under NTA
With the setting up of the National Testing Agency (NTA), students can expect the NEET and the JEE to be conducted twice a year instead of once, MoS HRD Upendra Kushwaha told the Lok Sabha. These and seven other exams are currently conducted by the CBSE, which claims it is "overburdened". What other changes can you expect with the NTA?
What's this new body about?
Last month, the Cabinet approved the establishment of the NTA, an autonomous body to conduct entrance exams for higher education including JEE Main, UGC NET, CTET, NEET etc. For the first year, it has been allocated a fund of Rs. 25cr; it will become self-sustainable from the second. The board of governors will be representatives of the institutions. The HRD will appoint a chairperson.
How will the NTA help students?
For one, the twice-a-year online exam model will reduce burden on the 40L students who appear the entrance exams every year; many tend to waste an additional year/s to reappear exams, which take place once yearly right after Class 12 finals. It is also expected to bring about a standardized difficulty level; state board students often face hardship clearing the CBSE-themed paper.
How will it help the CBSE?
Meanwhile, with the reduced burden, the CBSE will be able to focus its resources on improving quality of education and innovating curriculum. As of now, it conducts nine examinations. All these and more will then become the responsibility of the NTA.
