515: KURSK INCURSION: TURNING THE TABLES

 

 

My OPED published on the EurAsian Times website on 30 Sep 24.

 

In an unexpected move, On Aug. 6, Ukraine surprised the world by launching a bold pre-emptive offensive attack into Russian territory. Reportedly, over 1000 Ukrainian troops, along with armour, crossed into Kursk Oblast, a Russian region that borders Ukraine to the southeast. Ukraine’s cross-border attack named “Operation Krepost” on Russia’s Kursk region is the most significant incursion by Ukrainian forces into Russian territory since the start of the war. In this operation, Ukraine claims to have seized over 1,000 square kilometres of territory and captured several settlements and hundreds of Russian soldiers. The Kursk attack is distinct in the scale of resources used by Ukraine and its highly secretive nature. The event represents a turning point in the war and global geopolitics, shifting the initiative temporarily from Moscow to Kyiv. It has sparked widespread debate, highlighting the conflict’s potential for escalation and geographical expansion and raising questions about the underlying objectives behind this move and its possible future repercussions.

 

Surprise, Shock and Awe. Any move into Russia required a surprise. The Ukrainian attack on Kursk was a stunning display of surprise in modern warfare. By employing a mix of operational secrecy, deception, and tactical manoeuvring, Ukraine managed to achieve a surprising advantage. Ukraine had been engaging Russian forces in the eastern regions around Toretsk and Pokrovsk, giving an impression that its primary focus remained there and diverting attention away from the northern border with Kursk. Ukraine also exploited the gaps in stretched-out Russian deployment by attacking an area with lesser defences. In contrast to previous minor ones with irregular forces, the sheer magnitude of the incursion misled Russian military planners, leaving them in shock and awe at the audacity of the Ukrainian troops. The plans were kept tightly under wraps, sharing them only with a tight group of generals and security officials. The attack was executed with remarkable speed and efficiency, limiting Russia’s ability to mobilise reserves and respond effectively in the early stages. This swift strike allowed Ukrainian forces to capture territory and establish control over critical areas before a complete Russian response could be coordinated.

 

Intentions and Objectives. Ukraine aimed to shift the momentum of the war by launching an offensive into Russian territory. Strategically, Ukraine aimed to divert Russian forces from other critical fronts, such as the eastern regions of Toretsk and Pokrovsk, where Russia had been advancing. While the complete success of this diversion is debated, Ukraine’s offensive has forced Russia to reassess its deployments and react to the threat. Ukraine’s objectives could also be to weaken Russia’s military capability, capture territory, and disrupt Russian supply lines. Some analysts also speculate that holding Russian territory might give Ukraine better leverage in peace negotiations in future. Besides, Ukraine needed to boost its morale after months of defensive operations. A successful offensive into Russia would showcase Ukrainian capabilities and counter Russian propaganda about an inevitable victory. These factors combined to encourage Ukraine to take the risk of crossing into Russia and launching the most significant cross-border attack of the war.

 

 

Effect on Russia. The Ukrainian attack on Kursk has had a significant effect on Russia, both militarily and politically. It has forced Russia to divert resources, exposed its military vulnerabilities, and increased internal political and psychological pressure. The Kursk Offensive has further stretched the already heavily engaged Russian military on multiple fronts, further complicating ongoing Russian offensive operations. Ukraine’s capture of territory in Kursk, including several settlements, is a blow to Russian morale and undermines the Russian invincibility. However, it has also significantly boosted Ukrainian morale, providing a much-needed psychological advantage. This also posed logistical challenges, as Ukrainian forces targeted vital supply lines and infrastructure. The Kursk attack is a psychological blow to the Russians, raising fears of further incursions and challenging the Kremlin’s portrayal of the war as distant from Russian territory. The shock of the incursion could also erode public support for the ongoing conflict as casualties rise and domestic security is threatened. The attack puts internal pressure on the Russian government.

 

Russian Response. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the incursion “a large-scale provocation” and responded by declaring an emergency, imposing heightened security measures in these areas and launching retaliatory counterattacks. Russia mobilised additional troops, mainly from regions close to Kursk, such as Belgorod and Bryansk, to stabilise the situation and prevent further Ukrainian advances. Russia escalated its aerial bombardments across Ukraine, focusing on critical infrastructure, military installations, and supply lines. These colossal airstrikes aimed to disrupt Ukraine’s operations and cripple its logistics. Several missiles (including Kinzhal, Kh-101 and Iskander missiles) and drones attacked 15 of Ukraine’s 24 regions.  Russia also deployed more drones and missile systems to target Ukrainian cities far from the front lines. Russia organised ground counteroffensives to reclaim the territory lost to Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. These counterattacks aimed to regain control of settlements captured by Ukraine and reinforce border defences. Alongside traditional military responses, Russia reportedly increased cyber-attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and government systems, aiming to weaken Ukraine’s command and control capabilities. Diplomatically, Russia described the Ukrainian attack as a significant provocation, with President Putin labelling it as part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to destabilise Russia. The Russian government used the Kursk attack to rally domestic support for the war effort and called on international partners to limit support for Ukraine.

 

Ukraine’s Supporters.  Several nations and organisations provided critical assistance to Ukraine. The U.S. is Ukraine’s most prominent supporter, providing billions in military aid, including advanced weaponry, intelligence, and training. The U.S. has supplied systems like HIMARS and air defence platforms, which are essential to Ukraine’s defence against Russian advances. Most NATO members, particularly those in Eastern Europe, like Poland, the Baltic States, and Romania, have provided substantial military aid, logistical support, and training. The European Union has also contributed financially, providing billions in aid packages. The U.K. has been a critical supporter, delivering advanced weapons systems and training Ukrainian forces. It has also played a significant diplomatic role, pushing for continued Western support for Ukraine. Canada has offered military and financial assistance to Ukraine, providing artillery systems, armoured vehicles, and drones. It has also imposed significant sanctions on Russia and supported diplomatic initiatives against the invasion. Western defence contractors, particularly from the U.S., have supplied Ukraine with essential technology and equipment. Civil society movements and non-governmental organisations in countries supporting Ukraine have also raised funds and provided humanitarian assistance. These state and non-state supporters have enabled Ukraine to continue resisting the Russian invasion, providing a vital backbone of military, economic, and diplomatic support.

 

Behind-the-scenes Support. In this instance, a debate has arisen about the direct or indirect involvement of the behind-the-scenes supporters. Washington says it was not informed about Ukraine’s plans ahead of its Aug. 6 incursion into Kursk. The United States has also said it did not take any part in the operation. Russia claims that the United States’ involvement in Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region was “an obvious fact.” Russia also asserts that Western weaponry, including British tanks and U.S. rocket systems, have been used by Ukraine in Kursk. Media sources have reported that the United States and Britain have provided Ukraine with satellite imagery and other information about the Kursk region in the days after the Ukrainian attack. The intelligence was aimed at helping Ukraine keep better track of Russian reinforcements that might attack them or cut off their eventual withdrawal back to Ukraine.

 

 

Crystal Gazing. Ukraine’s advance into Kursk would culminate due to a combination of the Russian response, the number of casualties, and extended lines of communication. The Ukrainian army will probably be unable to hold all of the Russian territory it has advanced on. Kyiv is contemplating a longer-term occupation to use the land as a bargaining chip.  This will take a lot of Ukrainian resources, and enforcing a long-term occupation would depend on factors like Ukraine’s priorities, the availability and spare ability of resources, and the severity of the Russian response. The choices include consolidation on the captured terrain and partial or complete withdrawal. Partial withdrawal and consolidation seem to be the logical possibility.

 

The initial successes achieved by Kyiv in The Kursk attack have further intensified the war and raised questions about the future of the conflict. The Ukrainian offensive into Russian territory has had a profound impact on the course of the war. On one hand, it has boosted the morale of the Ukrainian army and sent a strong message to the West about Ukraine’s ability to take the offensive initiative. On the other hand, the offensive has elicited mixed reactions in Russia. The event has far-reaching repercussions on the entire war, further complicating the situation in the coming period. The war in Ukraine is a complex game, with many intertwined factors influencing the course of events. Both sides are undertaking concurrent campaigns that consume enormous resources (manpower, munitions, and supporting systems). Surge operations for short durations are possible, but sustaining them for long durations is doubtful. The future of this war mainly depends on the extent of continued Western military and political support to Ukraine.

 

Link to the Website:

https://www.eurasiantimes.com/operation-krepost-ukraines-awe-inspiring/

 

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References

  1. Basel Haj Jasem, “Kursk: A new chapter in the Ukraine war”, Daily Sabah, 27 Aug 2024.
  1. Anastasiia Lapatina, “Six Observations—and Open Questions—on

Ukraine’s Kursk Operation”, 15 Aug 2024.

  1. Deutsche Welle, “What is behind Ukraine’s Kursk operation in Russia?” The Indian Express, New Delhi, 11 Aug 24.
  1. “Moscow says US involvement in Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk is ‘an obvious fact’”, By Reuters, 27 Aug 24
  1. Mick Ryan, “The Kursk Offensive Dilemma”, Futura Doctrina, 19 Aug 24.

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514: CONFLICTS, MILITARY SPENDING & ARMS TRANSFERS

 

 

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) launched its Yearbook 2024 on 17 June. The yearbook contains the annual assessment of the state of armaments, disarmament, and international security.

 

Summarised excerpts from the yearbook:-

 

Conflict Trends

 

Although the number of states experiencing armed conflicts fell from 55 in 2022 to 52 in 2023, the estimated number of conflict-related fatalities worldwide rose from 153,100 in 2022 to 170,700 in 2023, reaching the highest level since 2019.

 

In 2023, four conflicts were categorised as major armed conflicts (i.e. conflicts involving 10,000 or more conflict related fatalities in the year), one more than in 2022: the civil wars in Myanmar and Sudan, and the Israel–Hamas and Russia–Ukraine wars.

 

The number of high intensity armed conflicts (i.e. conflicts involving 1000–9999 conflict related fatalities) also increased, from 17 in 2022 to 20 in 2023.

 

The Russia–Ukraine war continued throughout 2023 at a high cost to both sides. Russian air attacks continued, and Ukraine began to reply in kind, although not on the same scale. Both sides sought and received ammunition and weapons from their allies. There were no formal Russian–Ukrainian peace talks during the year, and the one noteworthy diplomatic success—the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative—unravelled in 2023.

 

In contrast to the stalemate in Ukraine, in September 2023, Azerbaijan secured a decisive victory in its long running conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh.

 

High intensity armed conflicts continued in Iraq, Syria and Yemen throughout the year.

 

Israel responded to the events of 7 October (the killing of over 1000 civilians and more than 350 Israeli soldiers and police, and the capture of around 240 hostages) by declaring a state of war for the first time since 1973. By the end of the year, more than 22,000 Palestinians had been killed in the ensuing air strikes or ground operations by Israel. Houthi forces in Yemen, claiming support for the Palestinians, started to attack commercial shipping in the Red Sea, prompting Western powers to dispatch warships to the area to address the threat.

 

Sub­Saharan Africa remained the region with the most armed conflicts, although many were low intensity conflicts (involving fewer than 1000 conflict-related fatalities), and levels of violence fluctuated considerably. There were decreases in conflict related fatalities in several countries experiencing high intensity armed conflict, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Sudan. However, there were notable increases in conflict­related fatality rates elsewhere, including in Sudan (+537 per cent compared with 2022), Burkina Faso (+100 per cent) and Somalia (+28 per cent).

 

The fighting that erupted in Sudan on 15 April 2023 between forces led by rival military generals triggered a humanitarian crisis and resulted in an all-out civil war.

 

In the Sahel, a coup in Niger and a decision by Mali to expel United Nations peacekeepers added to regional tensions.

 

The Americas is the only region not to have had a major armed conflict in 2018–23. The two countries in the region with the highest number of conflict­related fatalities—Brazil and Mexico—primarily faced criminal rather than political violence in 2023. Criminal gang related violence also escalated significantly in Haiti during the year.

 

Despite the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, the overall conflict­related fatality rate for Asia and Oceania more than halved between 2021 and 2023. This was partly due to a continuing decline in conflict­related fatalities in Afghanistan following the return to power of the Taliban in 2021.

 

Military Spending

 

Estimated global military expenditure rose for the ninth consecutive year in 2023, surpassing $2.4 trillion, driven by the Russia–Ukraine war and broader geopolitical tensions.

 

The 6.8 per cent increase in total military spending in 2023 was the largest rise since 2009, pushing estimated world spending to the highest recorded level.

 

As a result, the global military burden {world military expenditure as a share of world gross domestic product (GDP)} rose to 2.3 percent.

 

Governments allocated 6.9 per cent of their budgets to the military or $306 per person.

 

Estimated military spending increased across all five geographical regions for the first time since 2009.

 

Spending by African countries rose the most (by 22 percent in 2023), while the smallest increase was in the Americas (2.2 percent).

 

The United States remained by far the largest military spender in the world. Its $916 billion expenditure was more than the combined spending of the nine other countries among the top 10 spenders and 3.1 times as large as that of the second biggest spender, China.

 

The trend for increased military spending by European states in response to Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine gained traction in 2023. 39 of the 43 countries in Europe increased military spending. The 16 per cent surge in total European expenditures was driven by a 51 per cent rise in Ukrainian spending and a 24 per cent rise in Russian spending, as well as by 10 of the 28 European members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) reaching or surpassing the 2 per cent of GDP spending target in 2023.

 

Estimated military expenditures in Asia and Oceania rose for the 34th consecutive year. Half of the regional total consisted of spending by China, which grew by 6.0 per cent to reach $296 billion in 2023. China’s spending influenced spending decisions in neighbouring countries and the broader region: in Japan, for example, spending rose by 11 per cent, the largest year­-on-­year spending increase since 1972.

 

Estimated military spending in the Middle East grew by 9.0 per cent in 2023, with increases in all three of the biggest spenders in the region: Saudi Arabia, Israel and Turkiye. The Israel–Hamas war was the main driver for the 24 per cent increase in Israel’s military expenditure.

 

Arms Transfer

 

Suppliers of Major Arms

 

In 2019–23, 66 states exported arms, but most were minor exporters. The 25 largest suppliers accounted for 98 per cent of the total volume of exports, and the top five (the United States, France, Russia, China, and Germany) accounted for 75 per cent.

 

The USA’s share of global exports has increased in recent years while Russia’s share has decreased. In 2019–23, the USA’s arms exports were 17 percent higher than in 2014–18, and its share of the global total increased from 34 to 42 percent. In contrast, Russia’s arms exports decreased by 53 per cent, and its share of the global total dropped from 21 to 11 per cent.

 

France’s exports rose by 47 percent between 2014–18 and 2019–23, making it the second largest exporter of major arms in 2019–23.

 

Known plans for future deliveries of major arms strongly indicate that the USA will remain unchallenged as the largest arms exporter in the coming years and that France will consolidate its position in second place. They also indicate that Russia’s arms exports may reduce even further, while some of the other current top 10 exporters are likely to remain steady or increase.

 

Recipients of Major Arms

 

In 2019–23, 170 states imported arms. The five largest importers were India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Ukraine, and Pakistan, accounting for 35 percent of total arms imports.

 

Asia and Oceania received the largest volumes of major arms in 2019–23, accounting for 37 percent of the total, followed by the Middle East (30 percent), Europe (21 percent), the Americas (5.7 percent), and Africa (4.3 percent).

 

Between 2014–18 and 2019–23, the flow of arms to Europe increased by 94 per cent, while flows to all other geographical regions decreased: Africa (−52 per cent), Asia and Oceania (−12 per cent), the Middle East (−12 per cent) and the Americas (−7.2 per cent).

 

Many of the 170 importers are directly involved in armed conflict or in tensions with other states where the imported major arms play an important role.

 

Moreover, many exporters are direct stakeholders or participants in at least some of these conflicts and tensions, which partly explains why they are willing to supply arms, even when the supply seems to contradict their stated arms export policies. It is also noteworthy that, for most suppliers, arms exports are only a small part of the financial value of their total exports.

 

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

 

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is an independent, international think tank based in Stockholm that provides research, data, and analysis on arms control, disarmament, military expenditure, and armed conflict. It was founded in 1966 by Alva Myrdal and Tage Erlander. SIPRI’s work is intended to help researchers, policymakers, and the public understand the state of the arms industry and the preconditions for a stable peace. 

 

SIPRI’s work is based on open sources and includes:

 

  • Databases. SIPRI’s Arms transfers, Arms industry, and Military expenditure databases provide data on nearly every country in the world.

 

  • Documents. SIPRI provides documents on arms embargoes since the 1950s and national reports on arms export controls.

 

  • Analysis. SIPRI researchers analyse the data to identify trends and potential impacts on global security. 

 

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References and credits

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Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.

 

513: EXAMINING THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM IN INDIA

 

 

My Article published on the Indus International Research Foundation (IIRF) website on 03 Oct 24.

 

The recent controversies surrounding UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) and NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) have thrust the examination system of India into the spotlight. These exams, which serve as gateways to prestigious public service and medical education, are under scrutiny for exam malpractices, accessibility, language barriers, and mental health impacts on candidates. The need for immediate policy improvements in conducting examinations in India is paramount to maintaining transparency, fairness, and efficiency.

 

Controversies

 

Recent Controversy: NEET. The recent controversy surrounding the NEET 2024 results has sparked significant concern among medical aspirants and the general public. The controversy primarily revolves around unusually high scores and allegations of discrepancies in the examination process. This year, an exceptionally high number of students (67) achieved a perfect score of 720/720, leading to multiple students sharing the top rank. There were also concerns about candidates scoring 718 and 719, which some considered implausible under the exam’s marking scheme. The National Testing Agency (NTA) attributed these high scores to revisions in the answer key and compensatory marks awarded for loss of time during the examination. The NTA formed a committee to address grievances related to time loss at certain exam centers. This resulted in 1,563 candidates receiving compensatory marks ranging from -20 to 720. Two candidates scored 718 and 719 due to these adjustments. There were also allegations of paper leaks and inflated cut-offs. Despite these accusations, the NTA maintained that the integrity of the examination was not compromised and denied any instances of a paper leak. They also clarified that the high number of top scorers was partly due to changes in the NCERT textbooks, which affected the answer key. The controversy has led to petitions in multiple high courts and widespread calls for re-evaluating or re-examining NEET 2024.

 

Recent Controversy: UPSC. Two recent controversies have surrounded the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in 2024.   The first one regards fraudulent enrolment. The UPSC filed a case against a probationary IAS officer for allegedly forging disability certificates and using multiple identities to clear the civil services exam. Reportedly, an investigation revealed that she had manipulated personal details like name and photographs to avail of attempts beyond the permissible limit. The UPSC initiated action to cancel her candidature and filed an FIR with police authorities. The second one relates to the issue of lateral entry into civil services. The government asked the UPSC to withdraw its August 2024 advertisement for lateral entry posts due to concerns over the lack of adherence to reservation norms. The controversy revolves around allegations that the lateral entry process did not follow proper constitutional guidelines, particularly regarding reservations for marginalised communities. The issue has sparked a debate over the transparency and fairness of these recruitment practices.

 

Hyderabad NEET Scam (2023). This refers to a case of fraudulent activities and cheating, wherein some candidates used impersonators to appear for the exam. There were reports of using electronic devices like Bluetooth earphones and micro-cameras to communicate with outsiders who provided the answers. The police arrested several people, including candidates, their parents, and those running the operation. Investigations revealed that significant sums of money were exchanged to facilitate these fraudulent activities. This scam raised concerns about the integrity of the examination process, prompting authorities to reassess security measures and the validity of the results. It also led to a broader debate on preventing such malpractices in highly competitive exams like NEET.

 

These incidents have brought to light the vulnerabilities in the examination system and underscore the need for stricter security protocols. These protocols are crucial to maintaining the fairness and integrity of such important competitive exams, and their implementation is a key step towards improving the examination system in India.

 

Key Issues and Concerns

 

 

Malpractices and Cheating. These and other state-level and central exams are plagued with technological malpractices, cheating, impersonation, and exam paper leaks. Even digital tools such as AI-based cheating devices are being used, making traditional monitoring methods inadequate.

 

Exam Structure and Syllabus Overload. The UPSC exam’s extensive syllabus and multiple stages (Prelims, Mains, and Interview) present challenges regarding preparation time, which often spans over 2-3 years. NEET aspirants have criticised the heavily theoretical syllabus, arguing that it does not align well with the practical skills required in medical training.

 

Accessibility and Inclusivity. The criticism of UPSC and NEET examinations for being heavily skewed towards urban English-speaking candidates, thereby marginalising students from rural and non-English speaking backgrounds, underscores the need for inclusivity in the examination system. Overcoming the language barrier for NEET in regional areas, where students have difficulty understanding medical terminologies in their native languages, is a crucial step towards providing equal opportunities for all candidates.

 

Reservation and Quota Policies. Recent debates around reservation policies, particularly for NEET, have created further tension. Controversies over OBC, EWS, and state quotas have sparked legal and social debates. The merit vs. reservation debate continues to be a contentious issue.

 

Mental Health and High Stakes Pressure. These exams are highly competitive, with lakhs of aspirants competing for a limited number of seats or positions, leading to significant mental health stress and, in some tragic cases, suicides, especially among NEET aspirants. The high failure rates in these exams exacerbate stress, mainly because many aspirants invest years in preparation, only to face disappointment.

 

Recommendations for Improvement

 

 

Technology Solutions for Technology Malpractices. Incorporating AI-based proctoring systems, blockchain technology for securing question papers, and advanced biometric verification can mitigate the risk of exam fraud and impersonation. Exams can adopt digital forensics tools that monitor suspicious behaviour, unusual answer patterns, or high-speed internet access during examinations.

 

Decentralisation and Multiple Examination Windows. Conducting exams like NEET and UPSC at multiple windows throughout the year would reduce the burden of a single high-stakes examination and provide aspirants with more opportunities. This approach has been successfully implemented in exams like GRE and GMAT, which allow candidates flexibility and time to recover from and deal with failures.

 

Innovative Exam Formats. Introducing continuous assessment models or competency-based evaluations would shift focus away from a single high-stakes exam. In medical entrance exams, practical aptitude and problem-solving skills should play a bigger role. For UPSC, reforming the personality test (interview) to a more skills-oriented evaluation rather than subjective judgment would enhance the fairness of the selection process.

 

Regional Language Inclusion and Support. Expanding language options with robust translation services is crucial to making exams like NEET more inclusive. Additionally, ensuring medical terminologies are standardised across languages can help students from rural backgrounds perform better. Similarly, UPSC exams should provide high-quality material in regional languages, ensuring parity regarding preparation resources.

 

Syllabus Reforms. For UPSC, a syllabus revision committee should be established to periodically assess whether the content and structure align with the skills required in public service today. NEET should focus on balancing theoretical knowledge and practical skills, emphasising clinical reasoning and real-world medical scenarios rather than rote memorisation.

 

Better and Equal Opportunities. Policy improvements should address the urban-rural divide in access to quality coaching. Government-sponsored or subsidised coaching centers should be established for NEET and UPSC aspirants, especially in rural and underprivileged regions. Expanding the reach of digital education platforms (with government support) for nationwide aspirants would democratise exam preparation and offer a more level playing field.

 

Maintaining the Balance. A clear and consistent approach to quota and reservation policies should be maintained to ensure that neither merit nor social justice is compromised. This could include affirmative action support programs that offer extra coaching or preparatory resources to underprivileged candidates rather than a simplistic quota system. Conduct public consultations with stakeholders (aspirants, teachers, and policymakers) to refine the implementation of reservations, especially for NEET, where rural students face challenges in competitive environments.

 

Exam Transparency and Post-Examination Review. Establishing review committees and ensuring the public release of detailed exam performance metrics, cut-offs, and candidate reviews (for both NEET and UPSC) would increase transparency. Introducing a grievance redressal mechanism for candidates to appeal against examination issues (errors in question papers, disputes over answer keys) would ensure fair processes and reduce legal challenges.

 

Mental Health Support and Counselling. Policy frameworks must prioritise mental health initiatives for students preparing for these high-stakes exams. Counselling services, stress management workshops, and mental health helplines should be integrated into examination preparation processes. Mandating institutions to offer psychological support services to aspirants preparing for prolonged periods would prevent mental health crises.

 

Conclusion

 

Reforming the policies surrounding the conduct of NEET and UPSC examinations requires a holistic approach, balancing technological advancements, mental health awareness, inclusivity, and transparency. With improved security mechanisms, mental health support, and greater language and rural access inclusivity, these exams can better serve India’s diverse and dynamic aspirant population. Ensuring fair and equitable opportunities, especially for underrepresented communities, will enhance the legitimacy and efficiency of these highly competitive examinations.

 

Link to the article on website:-

Examining the Examination System in India – by Air Marshal Anil Khosla

 

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Disclaimer:

Information and data included in the blog are for educational & non-commercial purposes only and have been carefully adapted, excerpted, or edited from reliable and accurate sources. All copyrighted material belongs to respective owners and is provided only for wider dissemination.