A committee appointed by the central government has proposed significant changes to India's high school education system. The panel aims to reduce students' reliance on coaching centres and improve fairness in competitive exams.
Key Proposals for Education Overhaul
The committee, led by Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, submitted its recommendations after thorough discussions. The Ministry of Education formed this group on June 17, 2025. Its primary goal is to address gaps in school education and the growing influence of coaching institutes.
Addressing the Coaching Centre Challenge
Members highlighted that coaching centres have filled certain educational voids. However, they stressed that long-term solutions must come from strengthening schools themselves. The panel noted a clear disconnect between school curricula and the demands of exams like JEE and NEET.
This misalignment has led to the rise of dummy schools and a parallel education economy. Students often bypass formal schooling to focus on coaching. The committee observed that many school teachers lack training beyond board exam requirements. In contrast, coaching centres employ subject experts, including engineers and medical graduates.
Psychological Impact and Student Well-being
The panel expressed concern over the psychological toll of competitive exams. Early enrollment in coaching centres creates immense pressure. High-stakes, single-attempt examinations contribute to stress and a narrow view of success. The absence of structured counselling in schools worsens these issues.
Detailed Recommendations from the Committee
The committee met in Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi, on August 26 and November 15 last year. It included CBSE chairman Rahul Singh, NTA Director General Rajesh Lakhani, and professors from IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, and NIT Trichy. They proposed several actionable steps.
Immediate Actions for Syllabus Alignment
- NCERT, with support from NTA and CBSE, should ensure syllabus alignment between school curricula and competitive exam requirements.
- NTA must provide candidate-level data from the last three years to IIT Kanpur for analysis of exam validity.
- A psychometric expert should assess question difficulty across JEE Main, NEET, CUET, and JEE Advanced.
Regulating Coaching Centres
- Limit coaching classes to a maximum of 2-3 hours per day to protect student well-being.
- Regulate advertising practices and mandate full disclosure of teaching methods and faculty qualifications.
- CBSE should create a framework for remedial classes within schools to reduce private coaching dependence.
Enhancing School Ecosystems
- Redesign school curricula to integrate higher-order thinking and problem-solving aligned with competitive exams.
- Increase the frequency of entrance exams and give greater weightage to board exam results in college admissions.
- Develop a national aptitude and career guidance portal with personalised advice for students and parents.
Teacher Training and Assessment Models
- NCERT and CBSE should enhance teacher competency through focused training on competency-based education.
- Propose a hybrid assessment model combining MCQs with subjective questions to reduce rote learning.
- Introduce a "Professor of Practice" model with visiting faculty from academia and industry.
Looking Ahead: Sub-committees and Further Studies
The committee suggested forming sub-committees to examine syllabus comparisons across boards. These groups will explore conducting competitive exams in Class 11 and determine optimal exam timing. NCERT and CBSE are also tasked with designing a comprehensive career guidance programme starting from Class 8.
The Ministry's Department of School Education and Literacy may conduct surveys to assess student engagement with coaching classes. This data will help tailor future policies. The panel's recommendations aim to create a more equitable and less stressful education system for all students.
