HPTF Meeting: CM Omar Abdullah bats for merit-based selection system to protect interest of students & job aspirants

STC NEWS DESK
JAMMU, NOVEMBER 12 (STC): There is need for a transparent, secure and merit-based process to protect the interests of students and job aspirants. For achieving this objective, comprehensive reforms are required in Jammu and Kashmir’s examination system.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated this while chairing a meeting of the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) on Examination Reforms at the Civil Secretariat here today.
Omar Abdullah said the credibility of examinations was directly linked to the future of young people and that the government would extend all possible support to the Task Force in fulfilling its mandate. He emphasised the need to strengthen examination security, introduce technology-driven assessment methods and address concerns over transparency in recruitment and admission processes.
Referring to the cancellation and subsequent re-examination of NEET-UG, Omar Abdullah said the episode had highlighted the need for stronger safeguards in the examination system, particularly given the inconvenience and stress caused to lakhs of aspirants.
He advocated a gradual transition to computer-based examinations, saying students should first be familiarised with the technology to ensure that the shift does not disadvantage candidates who lack access to digital resources.
He also suggested examining whether school board examination results could be incorporated into competitive and entrance examination frameworks to reduce excessive dependence on single examinations and restore the importance of regular schooling.
He stressed the need for a suitable normalisation mechanism to ensure fairness among candidates from different educational boards, including JKBOSE, CBSE and ICSE.
Raising concerns over the subjective nature of interviews and viva-voce assessments, the CM asked the Task Force to examine ways of making these components more objective, transparent and accountable.
He said concerns frequently raised by candidates regarding possible manipulation of interview marks needed to be addressed through credible safeguards.
Earlier, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, presented an overview of examination reforms and security measures introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
The measures included police-escorted transportation of examination material, CCTV surveillance of strong rooms, round-the-clock security, frisking procedures and continuous monitoring of examination centres.
The meeting also reviewed initiatives undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), universities and other higher education institutions to improve digital examinations, evaluation procedures, timely declaration of results and issuance of degrees.

(Straight Talk Communications)