Centre to Review JEE Main and NEET UG Difficulty Levels: Redefining the Balance Between School Learning and Coaching Culture

In a significant move that could reshape India’s competitive exam ecosystem, the Central Government is reviewing the difficulty levels of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG). The aim is to ensure better alignment between these national-level entrance exams and the Class 12 curriculum, thereby reducing students’ dependence on private coaching institutions.

The decision follows growing public concern over the mushrooming of coaching centres, student suicides, and increasing financial and emotional pressures faced by aspirants preparing for these high-stakes exams.

Panel to Examine Alignment Between Exams and School Curriculum

According to official sources, the review will be based on inputs from an expert panel established by the Ministry of Education. The committee, headed by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, has been tasked with evaluating whether the current difficulty level in exams like JEE and NEET corresponds to the learning outcomes prescribed in the Class 12 syllabus.

“The panel is analysing data to study if the difficulty level of these exams is in sync with the school curriculum, which forms their academic foundation,” a senior official said. “Some parents and educators believe that there is a mismatch between the two, compelling students to seek external coaching to remain competitive.”

Once the panel submits its findings, the government will consider revising the exam patterns or difficulty levels to make them more balanced and equitable.

Background: A Response to Coaching-Driven Stress

The review comes when coaching centres across India are under scrutiny for their practices, safety standards, and the pressure they impose on students. Over the past few years, several tragic cases of student suicides, particularly in coaching hubs like Kota, have drawn national attention to the darker side of the coaching culture.

Additionally, incidents of fires and a lack of basic safety infrastructure in some institutions have intensified demands for regulation and reform. Parents, educators, and mental health experts have repeatedly urged the government to address the systemic issues driving students toward excessive stress and dependence on coaching.

This initiative marks one of the most comprehensive efforts yet to identify the root causes and make structural changes at the school and higher education levels.

The Composition of the Expert Panel

The nine-member expert committee, formed in June 2025, includes representatives from key educational and policy institutions. Apart from Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi as chairperson, the panel consists of:

• The Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
• Joint Secretaries from the Departments of School and Higher Education
• Representatives from IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, and NCERT
• Principals representing Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and a private school

Including diverse educational stakeholders ensures that the panel’s recommendations consider both the academic and practical dimensions of student learning.

Reducing Dependence on Coaching: Key Objectives of the Review

At the review's core is the government’s intent to make school education more relevant and sufficient for success in competitive exams. The panel’s primary goals include:

1. Assessing Exam Difficulty: Studying whether JEE and NEET question patterns are disproportionate to the Class 12 syllabus.
2. Reducing Coaching Dependency: Suggesting measures to help students transition to higher education without heavy reliance on private institutions.
3. Addressing Learning Gaps: Identifying weaknesses in the current school system that make coaching appear indispensable.
4. Promoting Holistic Skills: Encouraging the development of critical thinking, logical reasoning, analytical skills, and innovation, rather than rote learning.
5. Improving Career Guidance: Evaluating the availability and effectiveness of career counselling frameworks in schools and colleges.

The committee is also studying how the limited exposure to alternative career options influences students’ fixation on a few elite institutions, such as IITs and AIIMS, which fuels unhealthy competition and overdependence on coaching.

Examining the Root Causes: Beyond Difficulty Levels

According to officials familiar with the discussions, the committee’s work goes beyond calibrating exam difficulty. It also addresses systemic issues within the school education system.

“The committee is examining the gaps that contribute to students’ reliance on coaching — particularly the lack of emphasis on problem-solving and creativity in classrooms,” said an Education Ministry source. “A more competency-based approach within schools could help reduce the need for external preparation.”

Additionally, the committee will explore how to strengthen career counselling, ensuring that students and parents know multiple career pathways beyond engineering and medicine.

A Larger Debate: Coaching Centres and Their Controversies

India’s coaching industry, valued at over ₹58,000 crore, has become a parallel education system. While many centres produce toppers, they have also been criticised for intense pressure, expensive fees, and a one-size-fits-all teaching model.

The government’s review comes amid numerous complaints regarding mental health crises, student safety, and the commercialisation of education. Experts argue that the dependence on coaching has widened the inequality gap — benefiting only those who can afford expensive preparatory courses.

Policy Implications: What Could Change

If the panel recommends aligning JEE and NEET with the NCERT Class 12 curriculum, it could fundamentally shift how competitive exams are designed. Potential measures may include:

• Simplifying question patterns to reflect school-level learning outcomes better
• Increasing focus on application-based and conceptual questions
• Enhancing integration between the CBSE curriculum and the entrance exam syllabi
• Introducing new evaluation methods that reward analytical and creative thinking over rote memorisation

Such steps could democratise access to higher education, offering a level playing field for students across rural and urban India.

Moving Toward a Student-Centric System

The government’s initiative is being widely welcomed as a step toward creating a fairer, more inclusive, and less stressful education system. By realigning exams like JEE and NEET with the school curriculum, policymakers hope to reduce coaching dependence and promote a culture of deep learning and curiosity-driven education.