Jammu, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday called for comprehensive reforms in the examination system, stressing the need for secure, transparent and technology-driven assessments with merit as the sole criterion for selection.
Chairing a meeting of the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) on examination reforms at the Civil Secretariat, Abdullah extended full support to the task force and called for stronger examination security, a phased transition to computer-based testing and greater credibility in board examinations.
He said the need for robust reforms had become particularly evident following the cancellation of NEET-UG and the subsequent re-examination, which caused considerable inconvenience and stress to lakhs of aspirants across the country.
The Chief Minister emphasised that students must be adequately familiarised with technology before computer-based examinations are introduced on a wider scale. He also suggested exploring the integration of school board examination performance into competitive and entrance tests to reduce excessive dependence on single-window examinations.
Abdullah called for a suitable normalisation mechanism to ensure a level playing field for students from different educational boards, including JKBOSE, CBSE and ICSE.
Highlighting concerns over subjectivity in interviews and viva-voce assessments, he asked the task force to examine measures that could make oral evaluations more objective and accountable, addressing candidates’ concerns about possible manipulation of marks.
At the meeting, Higher Education Department Commissioner Secretary Ram Niwas Sharma presented details of examination reforms undertaken by the Jammu and Kashmir government. He outlined security arrangements, including police-escorted transportation of examination material, CCTV-monitored strong rooms, round-the-clock security, prescribed frisking procedures and continuous monitoring of examination centres.
The meeting also reviewed reforms introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB), universities and other higher education institutions. Discussions covered digital examinations, transparent evaluation, timely declaration of results and prompt issuance of degrees.
Those attending included Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, Education and Higher Education Minister Shamim Firdous, Acting Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar, senior administrative and police officials, JKSSB Chairman Shrikant Balasaheb Suse and task force members Tapan Kumar Deka and V. Kamakoti. The visiting members were accompanied by the National Recruitment Agency director and other officials of the task force secretariat.
FOLLOW NOW
