Congress Criticizes Committee Formation
The Congress party on Wednesday slammed the central government’s decision to set up a high-powered committee for examination reforms, calling it a “transparent attempt” to fix Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “compromised image.” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the panel was a diversionary tactic amid growing concerns over irregularities in competitive exams.
“This high-powered committee is nothing but an attempt to fix the PM’s compromised image,” Ramesh said in a statement. He accused the government of using the panel to deflect attention from its failure to address systemic issues in the education sector and alleged that the move was prompted by the recent leak of NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams.
Committee Composition and Mandate
The committee, formed under the chairmanship of former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, includes former cabinet secretary K.M. Chandrasekhar, educationist and IIT Delhi professor Dr. P.V. Madhusudhan Rao, and former UPSC chairman Prof. (Dr.) D.P. Agarwal. The panel is tasked with recommending reforms to ensure transparent, fair, and credible examination processes.
Specifically, the committee will examine existing mechanisms for conducting entrance examinations and suggest measures to prevent paper leaks and malpractices. It will also propose protocols for cybersecurity, data protection, and the use of technology in exam conduct. The government has given the panel a three-month deadline to submit its report.
Political Implications
Ramesh questioned the timing of the committee’s formation, noting that it came weeks after massive protests by students over alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and UGC-NET. He said the government was trying to “cover up” its incompetence by appointing distinguished individuals to a panel that would produce a report “destined to gather dust.”
The Congress has demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the exam leaks and called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The government, however, maintains that the committee is a proactive step to overhaul the examination system and restore student confidence. According to official sources, the panel will consult with stakeholders, including students, parents, and academic experts, before finalizing its recommendations.
The issue has become a flashpoint in the political arena, with opposition parties united in criticizing the government’s handling of exam irregularities. The Congress hopes to leverage the controversy to challenge the Modi government’s credibility ahead of upcoming state elections.
