The Union Education Ministry's nine-member panel has recommended that Class 12 board exam marks may account for up to 50% weightage in admissions to engineering and medical colleges through JEE and NEET. The proposal is part of a series of recommendations aimed at reducing the high-stakes nature of these entrance examinations.
Proposal Details
According to the panel's report, the weightage could be implemented gradually, with board marks contributing 40% initially and eventually rising to 50%. This marks a significant shift from the current system where JEE Advanced and NEET scores are the sole criteria for admission to premier institutes like IITs, NITs, and AIIMS.
The panel, constituted by the ministry, includes education experts and administrators. It suggests that the normalization of board marks across different state boards and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would be essential to ensure fairness. A common normalization formula, similar to the one used for JEE Main percentile calculation, is recommended.
Impact on Students
If implemented, the change would affect lakhs of students appearing for JEE and NEET annually. Currently, over 1.2 million students take JEE Main, and about 1.6 million appear for NEET. The proposal aims to reduce the pressure on a single high-stakes exam and encourage holistic learning in Class 11 and 12.
"This will help students focus on their board curriculum and reduce the dependency on coaching institutes," said a panel member on condition of anonymity. However, concerns remain about variations in board marking standards. The panel has proposed a robust normalization mechanism to address this.
Reactions and Next Steps
The proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Some educators welcome the move, stating it aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes holistic assessment. Others worry about increased workload for boards and potential disputes over normalization. The ministry is expected to seek stakeholder feedback before finalizing any changes. A decision is likely in the coming months, with possible implementation from the 2027-28 academic session.
