Associated News Bureau

CM Omar Abdullah Calls for Comprehensive Examination Reforms, Emphasises Transparency and Merit-Based Selection

JAMMU, NOVEMBER 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today called for comprehensive reforms in the examination system of Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the need to establish a secure, transparent, technology-driven and foolproof mechanism to uphold merit and safeguard the academic and professional future of students. The Chief Minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting with members of the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) on Examination Reforms at the Civil Secretariat here. He assured the Task Force of all possible support from the government to enable it to fulfil its mandate and underscored that the credibility of examinations has a direct bearing on the future of the youth. Emphasising the need to strengthen examination security and gradually transition towards computer-based testing, Omar Abdullah called for measures to enhance the credibility of board examinations and address concerns regarding subjective assessments in recruitment and admission processes. He observed that the need for comprehensive reforms had become particularly evident following the cancellation of NEET-UG and the subsequent re-examination, which caused considerable inconvenience and mental stress to lakhs of aspirants across the country. Advocating a phased transition to computer-based examinations, the Chief Minister stressed that students must be adequately familiarised with the technology before its wider implementation. He also called for examining the possibility of integrating school board examination performance into competitive and entrance examinations to reduce excessive dependence on single-window tests and reinforce the importance of regular schooling. He further emphasised the need for an appropriate normalisation mechanism to ensure a level playing field for students from different educational boards, including JKBOSE, CBSE and ICSE, so that no candidate faces any disadvantage. Highlighting concerns surrounding interviews and viva-voce assessments in recruitment and admission processes, the Chief Minister called for greater transparency, objectivity and accountability. He suggested that the Task Force examine suitable mechanisms to minimise subjectivity and prevent any possibility of manipulation in the award of marks. Earlier, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, gave a detailed presentation on the examination reform measures undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir Government. He outlined the security arrangements introduced for public examinations, including police-escorted transportation of examination material, CCTV-monitored strong rooms, round-the-clock security, prescribed frisking procedures and continuous monitoring of examination centres. The meeting also reviewed reforms undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), universities and other higher education institutions. Discussions focused on digital examinations, transparent evaluation systems, timely declaration of results and prompt issuance of degrees. The meeting was attended by Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo; Minister for Education and Higher Education Shamim Firdous; Acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar; Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta; Additional Director General of Police (Armed); Administrative Secretaries of the General Administration, Health and Medical Education, and Higher Education Departments; Chairman, JKSSB; and members of the High-Powered Task Force, Tapan Kumar Deka and Prof. V. Kamakoti. The visiting members were accompanied by the Director, National Recruitment Agency, and other officials of the Task Force Secretariat. ANB