The NET exam is ruining higher education in India
The exam is grossly inadequate to assess either the research potential or the teaching aptitude of candidates
The NET exam is conducted by the CBSE for the University Grants Commission (UGC) for eligibility for the teaching position of Assistant Professor and Junior Research Fellowships in Indian colleges. The exam has three objectivetype papers, one on teaching and research aptitude and two on subject knowledge.
There needs to be a debate on the relevance of this objective-type exam. In subjects in the humanities and social sciences, the NET is grossly inadequate to assess either the research potential or the teaching aptitude of candidates. Reducing teaching and research to multiple-choice questions takes away from the nuance of these disciplines. The exam doesn’t even take into account interdisciplinarity; and hence many students, who study disciplines such as development studies, which aren’t so called ‘core’ disciplines are affected. They cannot even take the exam in the field of their study and have to resort to appearing in allied disciplines. Many studies have indicated the poor quality of research in India. This model of gauging research and teaching ability is in need of urgent overhaul.
Many universities have made qualifying NET mandatory for pursuing doctoral research. This seems bizarre to me because an exam such as this cannot possibly test the applicant’s readiness for research. Research potential must be tested on the parameters of a sound research proposal, knowledge of the discipline and methodology. India needs to shift to a model that can ensure more rigour and transparency after enrolling for a PhD. The current model is arbitrary and will only put off more students who want to gain entry into academia. Some months ago the UGC decided to conduct the exam only once a year because of the ‘poor response to the exam’ – as opposed to twice earlier. The CBSE wrote to the HRD ministry in September last year, complaining that asking it to conduct various examinations that are outside its purview was creating an “extraneous burden” on it. Quite clearly, college education in India is not the CBSE’s responsibility and it seems unfair on the part of UGC to burden them with this.
The bureaucratic mess that ails higher education needs to be addressed. The paradox is that our universities and colleges are full of vacancies waiting to be filled. And aspirants are waiting to be employed. A large amount of talent is untapped and wasted.
There needs to be a complete overhaul of the current system, and the top priority should be to streamline and make this exam more relevant and contemporary. Perhaps a better way would be to shift to a SAT or GRE style online exam that is held multiple times a year; and focuses on all-round assessment of research and critical thinking skills.