As the government considers revising the difficulty levels of India’s two most competitive entrance exams, JEE and NEET, a crucial debate has resurfaced: can tweaking exam toughness truly make the system fairer?

Every year, millions of students stake their futures on these high-stakes tests, which not only determine college admissions but also shape the multi-billion-rupee coaching industry that shadows India’s education system. The Ministry of Education recently announced plans to review the difficulty of JEE Main and NEET-UG, citing concerns over fairness, inclusivity, and student well-being.

But as discussions grow louder, educators, students, and policymakers are divided over whether easing these exams would promote equity or simply shift the pressure elsewhere.

THE COACHING CULTURE

See Full Page