![\"'MCQs](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131789403,imgsize-31370,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/cuet.jpg\" "\\"Parliamentary")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nA parliamentary committee has raised fresh questions over the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), arguing that its multiple-choice format may not be the best way to assess students seeking admission to humanities and social sciences courses.The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports has recommended a review of both the quality of CUET question papers and the design of the examination to ensure that it meets the objectives laid down in the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.<\/p>\n In its 381st Action Taken Report, submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday, the committee said some members were not fully convinced about CUET being used as a universal admission mechanism for undergraduate programmes.The report noted that CUET was introduced from the 2022-23 academic session to reduce pressure on students and universities and to place candidates from different school boards on a common platform.However, the committee said the format raises concerns in certain disciplines.“Multiple-choice question (MCQ) answers are particularly ill-suited for humanities and social sciences disciplines which are definitionally centred on independent, subjective thinking,” the report stated.The committee recommended a review of the examination’s design and question quality to ensure that the test serves the purpose envisioned under NEP 2020.<\/p>\n The panel, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, acknowledged that CUET as a common entrance examination has certain advantages. At the same time, it pointed to concerns raised by institutions with specific academic and legislative mandates.Referring to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the report said a common entrance test may not always allow such institutions to meet their distinct admission requirements.“The Committee further observed that the CUET as the sole entrance examination has its merits, but it does not allow for Universities like Jawaharlal Nehru University, with their specific legislative mandates, to meet their specific needs,” the report said.The committee added that it would deliberate further on the issue.<\/p>\n The report also referred to JNU’s earlier admission system, saying it had been designed to fulfil the university’s legal mandate relating to diversity and representation.“The JNU system of test administration was designed to ensure that the university was able to fulfil the criterion of socio-economic and regional diversity and representation mandated by the JNU Act in its admissions,” it said.The observation comes amid continuing debates over whether a single national entrance examination can adequately address the varying admission priorities of different universities.<\/p>\n In its Action Taken Report, the government said the committee’s observations had been “duly noted”.According to the report, the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have been suitably advised regarding the committee’s recommendations.The government also reiterated that CUET provides students with a single application window through which they can seek admission to multiple central universities and participating institutions.<\/p>\n The government informed the committee that CUET has expanded rapidly since its launch.According to the report, the examination recorded 13,54,699 applicants in 2025 and has emerged as the second-largest examination in India within two years of its introduction.The report further noted that the structure of CUET (UG) has been revised based on experience from its first three editions. CUET (UG) 2025 was conducted across 37 subjects, while results were declared more than three weeks earlier than in 2024.For now, the committee has not recommended any immediate changes to the examination. But its observations suggest that questions over whether a single multiple-choice entrance test can adequately assess students across all disciplines are likely to remain part of the debate around university admissions.<\/div>\nCommittee flags concerns over MCQ-based testing
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nQuestions over one-test-fits-all approach
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nJNU’s diversity mandate cited
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nGovernment says observations have been noted
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nCUET grows into one of India’s largest exams
<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n