The National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Centre, the Ministry of Education, and the Examination Reform Committee proposing a three-tier admission framework for NEET, JEE, and CUET. NISA president Kulbhushan Sharma announced the proposal on Friday, stating that the growing coaching culture and dummy schooling model have weakened the importance of regular classroom learning.
Three-tier framework details
The proposed framework consists of three stages: Class XII board merit-based screening, a computer-based main examination, and a descriptive advanced examination. Sharma said, "India can’t build a strong education system if the future of students is determined by a single high-pressure examination." He added that the reforms aim to restore public confidence in examinations, strengthen school education, reduce student stress, and ensure a more transparent and merit-based admission system.
Addressing paper leaks and coaching dependence
Sharma emphasized that the three-tier system would significantly reduce the risk of paper leaks, malpractice, and excessive dependence on coaching institutions while providing students with multiple opportunities to demonstrate their abilities. NISA vice-president Sushil Gupta highlighted the urgent need for effective regulation of coaching institutes, noting that excessive coaching dependence has diverted students away from holistic education and encouraged dummy admissions.
Equal opportunities for all students
Dilip Modi, joint secretary of NISA, said examination reforms must go beyond preventing irregularities. He stressed that the education system must create equal opportunities for students from government schools, rural areas, economically weaker sections, and disadvantaged backgrounds. Strengthening board examinations and ensuring greater alignment between school learning and entrance assessments would help achieve this objective.
Key recommendations
Among its key recommendations, NISA has proposed strict action against dummy schools, mandatory attendance requirements supported by technology-based monitoring systems, uniform NCERT-based academic standards, multiple JEE attempts after Class XII, and the creation of a high-level 'Examination Reform Commission' with stakeholder participation. Sharma said the reforms would strengthen the credibility of examinations, restore the central role of schools, promote genuine learning, and contribute significantly toward building a skilled, equitable, and developed India.
