top of page

By:

Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Merit Imperilled

From NEET paper leaks to the CBSE’s digital fiasco, India’s examination system appears to be confronting a major crisis of competence and credibility. For generations of our countrymen, examinations have been the principal mechanism through which talent, discipline and hard work could overcome social circumstance. In a country where millions compete for limited opportunities, examinations serve as the foundation of meritocracy. When that foundation begins to crack, the consequences extend far...

Merit Imperilled

From NEET paper leaks to the CBSE’s digital fiasco, India’s examination system appears to be confronting a major crisis of competence and credibility. For generations of our countrymen, examinations have been the principal mechanism through which talent, discipline and hard work could overcome social circumstance. In a country where millions compete for limited opportunities, examinations serve as the foundation of meritocracy. When that foundation begins to crack, the consequences extend far beyond classrooms. The latest turmoil within the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is yet another warning signal in a broader governance crisis engulfing India’s examination ecosystem. The transfer of the CBSE chairman and secretary, alongside the Centre’s decision to establish an inquiry into the procurement of services for the board’s on-screen marking system, comes amid mounting concerns about transparency, accountability and technological competence. The fiasco started when students seeking scanned copies of answer sheets reportedly received papers that did not belong to them. Cases of answer-sheet mismatches emerged and allegations surfaced regarding evaluation errors and grade misallocation. Just days before, India witnessed one of its most significant exam crises in form of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak scandal. What links the NEET scandal and the CBSE controversy is not merely administrative incompetence but the growing perception that institutions entrusted with safeguarding merit are struggling to safeguard themselves. India’s examination architecture has become extraordinarily complex. Every year, boards, universities and recruitment agencies process candidates through increasingly digitised systems. Yet, it is seen that technological adoption has often raced ahead of institutional preparedness. Digital platforms are introduced before adequate safeguards are established. As more work is outsourced, accountability becomes harder to fix and procurement decisions grows less transparent. The result is a dangerous erosion of trust. Examination systems depend not merely on procedural fairness but on public confidence in that fairness. Students must believe that answer sheets are secure. Parents must believe that marks reflect genuine performance rather than administrative error. The social costs of these failures are immense. Behind every examination controversy stand millions of young students who have invested years of effort and emotional energy into a competitive process. India’s demographic future depends heavily upon its ability to reward merit fairly and consistently. That demands rigorous technological audits, transparent procurement processes and clearly defined accountability mechanisms for vendors and administrators alike. Most importantly, policymakers must recognise that examination governance is not a peripheral administrative function but a core pillar of social mobility and state legitimacy. The danger facing India today is that repeated failures across institutions are normalising distrust. A nation that aspires to become a knowledge superpower cannot afford an examination system whose credibility is perpetually under question. When students lose faith in the fairness of examinations, the idea of merit itself begins to lose meaning. No governance failure could be more consequential.

Bad Roads, Ugly Politics


The pathetic state of roads in Mumbai city as well as its suburbs has made daily commute a dangerous affair. The residents are miffed with the BMC over its lackadaisical attitude. Mumbaikars tweet photos, post videos to grab attention, but everything is in vain. Who cares for the common people. Backbreaking journeys have become part and parcel of life. Political leaders are busy mud-slinging.


This year the monsoon took a break after almost four and half months. During this time some of the roads virtually became non commutable. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister Eknath Shinde first announced to make Mumbai roads pothole free.


Its almost two years now the BMC has concretised only 9 percent of roads it planned to concretise. This decision was taken when it came to light that due to the properties of bitumen in asphalt roads, potholes are a regular occurrence due to contact with water during monsoons.


Hence, to solve the problem of potholes, the corporation has adopted a policy of cement concreting of 6-meter-wide roads in phases. The decision was taken but the dilly-dallying affair made things more difficult.


Mumbai’s traffic does put a lot of strain on roads which is not the case in the other developed countries. Second most important aspect is concretisation of roads is done partly and in phases.


The worst problem which is faced is repeated digging for cables and drainage, which weakens the roads. Above all corruption in BMC makes matters worse as a result everything comes to grinding halt.


According to experts, repairing potholes is a reaction with symptomatic treatment. By and large we are dispensing superficial treatment without addressing the root cause. The long-term solution will be to have roads with no potholes but what we need is the means and technology to achieve this. But for this political will is necessary which we lack on every step.


Mumbaikar’s are convience that corruption in the municipal corporation is the main reason. Contractors have had a monopoly over the last 20 years and this is the reason why reputed companies never come ahead for these projects.


As a result, in the name of attendance and repair, the BMC does shoddy work. Crores are spent but the end result is nothing. The BMC is not paying attention to the crust. If the crust is weak, potholes will see an increase. Without any thought or technical know-how, potholes are filled with cold mix.


This is the reason why the city and suburbs continue to have craters on the roads.


Craters, a serious threat to the safety and security of people. Mumbaikars fade up from their repeated visits to orthopedic surgeons.


They are in a mood to teach a proper lesson to those who were at the helm of the affairs.

Comments

bottom of page