By Mohamed Atherulla Shariff
India’s education system is increasingly coming under scrutiny as critics question whether high-stakes competitive examinations such as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) are nurturing talent or pushing an entire generation into a relentless cycle of stress, uncertainty and mental exhaustion.
What was once a relatively straightforward academic journey – from school to college and eventually to employment – has now transformed into an extended marathon of entrance tests, coaching classes and repeated attempts to secure a coveted seat in professional institutions. Educationists and parents alike are raising concerns that the obsession with competitive examinations has shifted the focus from learning to mere survival.
“Students today are no longer studying to acquire knowledge; they are studying to clear one examination after another,” says one commentator, reflecting a sentiment that is increasingly echoed across the country.
Until a few decades ago, students who entered school at the age of five could reasonably expect to complete graduation by their early twenties and enter the job market soon afterwards. Additional vocational training, if required, would prepare them for a career by the age of 25. Today, however, many spend years preparing for competitive examinations, often sacrificing their mental health, financial stability and personal aspirations.
NEET, introduced to standardise admissions to medical colleges, has become one of the most competitive examinations in India, with millions of aspirants competing every year for a limited number of seats. The exam has also fuelled a multi-billion-rupee coaching industry, compelling many families to invest heavily in private coaching centres and repeat attempts over several years.
The pressure is compounded by soaring admission cut-offs in colleges and universities. Critics point to the growing trend of near-perfect or even 100 per cent cut-off marks that have, at times, dominated headlines. Such developments, they argue, have transformed academic excellence into an almost unattainable benchmark for ordinary students.
Adding to concerns are allegations that recruitment in certain institutions has become prohibitively expensive. One striking example cited by education observers involves a government school reportedly demanding as much as ₹15 lakh to secure a teaching position carrying a monthly salary of only ₹40,000. If true, such practices further discourage young graduates already burdened by years of costly exam preparation.
Mental health experts have repeatedly warned that the pressure associated with competitive examinations is contributing to rising levels of anxiety, depression and, in extreme cases, student suicides. Kota in Rajasthan, the country’s coaching hub, has witnessed several such tragedies in recent years, prompting renewed calls for reforms in India’s examination system.
The debate has also revived an important question: Do competitive entrance examinations accurately measure a student’s ability to become a competent professional? While supporters argue that standardised tests ensure transparency and merit-based admissions, critics contend that there is little empirical evidence to show that success in such examinations necessarily translates into better doctors, engineers or public servants.
As policymakers continue to defend competitive examinations as instruments of fairness, growing sections of society are demanding a broader conversation about the true purpose of education. The challenge before India is not merely selecting the brightest minds but ensuring that the pursuit of excellence does not come at the cost of a generation’s well-being.
