Why do we need one question paper? Nandan Nilekani on preventing NEET paper leaks

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has questioned the need to prepare a single question paper for entrance exams amid the NEET paper leak issue. He has suggested generating papers at the last minute from a large question bank and expanding computer-based testing facilities.

In Short

• He said a single fixed paper creates a market for leaks
• A massive question bank could generate papers shortly before examinations
• That approach, he argued, would reduce incentives to steal and sell

Why should an entrance exam depend on one question paper that can be leaked and sold? Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has raised this question amid concerns over the NEET paper leak issue, suggesting that the solution lies in changing how examinations are designed and conducted.

Nilekani said exams should move away from relying on a single question paper. Instead, he proposed creating a massive bank of questions and generating the paper for each exam only at the last minute, reducing the financial incentive to leak it.

“Why do we need to have something called 'a' question paper? Because the moment you have a question paper, then that creates an economic incentive for that to be sold,” he said.

He also called for greater use of computer-based testing, saying this would require a wider network of centres where candidates could take examinations.

NO SINGLE PAPER, NO LEAK MARKET?

Explaining his proposal, Nilekani said a large question bank could be used to generate the paper shortly before an examination. This, he argued, would remove the need to have one fixed paper available in advance and reduce the incentive for people to sell it.

The suggestion comes amid continuing concerns over examination security and the integrity of competitive entrance tests such as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

1.5 LAKH TESTING LOCATIONS AND MORE NEEDED

Nilekani said there were 150,000 locations where students could take a test, adding that the network needed to expand.

He described the question bank, last-minute paper generation and computer-based examinations as systemic issues that needed to be addressed.

“These are all systemic issues which we will address in our committee,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister was keen to implement its decisions.

CAN EXAM REFORMS ADDRESS PAPER LEAKS?

Nilekani's suggestions focus on reducing dependence on a single question paper and increasing the use of digital testing infrastructure. Under his proposal, papers would be generated shortly before an examination from a much larger pool of questions, while computer-based testing would require more locations to accommodate candidates.

His remarks put the focus on structural changes to examination systems, rather than relying only on measures taken after a paper leak comes to light.

(With ANI inputs)

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