As learnt from reliable sources, Mr. Prakash Javadekar, the HRD Minister has expressed a desire to introduce a standardised model for testing students, which would follow provision of an online test module with instant results. Mr. Javadekar is of the opinion that it will prove beneficial for the students as it will help save a lot of time.
The HRD Ministry is contemplating a National Testing Service (NTS) which would serve as a common entrance test regulating body for all exams such as JEE Main, National Eligibility Test (NET) and National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
A source reported, "All the examinations that are conducted by CBSE and are not related to school education will be conducted by the new body once formed. This will take away pressure from the CBSE and will allow it to focus on its core activities."
HRD Ministry proposed setting up of National Testing Service (NTS) which will be a specialised body composed of subject experts who will be responsible for conducting the test online and monitoring it.
According to sources, the NTS model is based on US Educational Testing Service (ETS) which is known for organising a highly systematic model of entrance test at the international level.
The source said that until the establishment of NTS, the CBSE will conduct the examinations. "CBSE will conduct the examinations that it is supposed to do for this year and the next year till a decision on forming the new body is taken," reported the source.
On account of the numerous incidents of delayed results in the recent past, the HRD Minister has asked his Ministry people to establish the standardised NTS without further delay.
The CBSE was apprehensive about the new model proposed few months ago, stating that it would be a time consuming experiment and could not pay attention to the core activities of the model.