Major Reforms to Cut Coaching Dependence; JEE & NEET may Shift to Class XI

Major Reforms to Cut Coaching Dependence; JEE & NEET may Shift to Class XI

Dr Vijay Garg

A central committee formed to address the growing reliance on private coaching institutions is considering sweeping reforms aimed at reducing academic pressure and restoring the importance of school-based learning. Discussions held during the meeting on November 15 explored structural changes to entrance examinations and coaching regulations. Competitive Exams Could Be Held in Class XI One of the key proposals under examination is the possibility of conducting national entrance tests such as JEE, NEET and CUET a year earlier, instead of waiting until Class XII.

According to sources, the committee is evaluating whether “national entrance examinations such as JEE, NEET and CUET can be conducted in Class XI.” The panel believes that advancing the exam timeline could diffuse the intense pressure associated with Class XII and allow students greater flexibility. Before making a final recommendation, the committee plans to review curriculum alignment across different school boards. Several members argued that an earlier window would ease stress and create a healthier academic environment.

 In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the idea of holding entrance exams twice a year — tentatively in April and November — was also discussed. Limit Coaching Classes to 2–3 Hours Another major discussion point was the need to limit the time students spend in coaching institutes. Currently, many students attend private coaching for five to six hours daily in addition to school. Members suggested capping coaching hours to help improve well-being and academic balance. The proposal states that coaching time should be restricted to “a maximum of two to three hours daily,” a move the committee believes will reduce burnout and re-establish school education as the primary learning source.

 Exploring a Hybrid Assessment Mode The meeting also reviewed the possibility of modifying the evaluation pattern for competitive exams by creating a mixed scoring method. The proposal recommends an entrance system that considers performance in both board examinations and aptitude-based tests, thereby reducing dependency on coaching. The panel discussed “a hybrid assessment model for entrance examinations that gives weightage to both board marks and aptitude-based tests.” Officials believe this approach could boost internal assessments, strengthen classroom learning and encourage conceptual understanding.

Addressing Systemic Issues in School Education Beyond exam reforms, the committee acknowledged several deep-rooted challenges contributing to rising coaching culture — including: Mismatches in syllabus across boards Increasing use of dummy schools Weak formative assessments Gaps in teacher training Lack of structured career guidance As part of the action plan from the Nov 15 meeting, NCERT has been tasked with working alongside CBSE and state boards to review Class XI and XII syllabus alignment with competitive exam requirements. The aim is to reduce academic disparities between school education and competitive exam preparation.