New Delhi: The central government is considering a review of the difficulty level of major entrance exams such as JEE and NEET to bring them in line with the Class XII curriculum. The move aims to reduce students’ reliance on private coaching institutes, sources said on Thursday.
The review will be guided by the recommendations of a nine-member expert panel formed in June by the Ministry of Education to examine issues related to coaching, the rise of “dummy schools,” and the fairness of entrance examinations. The committee, headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, has been tasked with suggesting reforms that will ensure students can transition to higher education without excessive dependence on coaching centres.
Sources indicated that the panel is analysing whether the current exam difficulty matches Class XII curriculum standards. Parents and faculty from coaching institutions have raised concerns that the mismatch between the two is pushing students toward coaching, increasing academic stress and financial burden.
The committee is also examining systemic gaps in schooling, including limited emphasis on critical thinking, logical reasoning, and innovation, as well as the prevalence of rote learning practices. It is expected to propose steps to strengthen career guidance frameworks in schools, expand awareness about multiple career pathways, and improve counselling services for students and parents.
The panel includes the CBSE chairman, senior officials from the education ministry, representatives from IIT Madras, NIT Trichy, IIT Kanpur, NCERT, and principals from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and a private school.
The move comes amid growing concerns over student suicides, unsafe infrastructure, and questionable teaching practices in coaching institutes. Officials said the recommendations will help ensure that exams remain fair, aligned with school learning, and do not create unnecessary pressure on students.
