The common entrance test aims to standardise college admissions across the country, but is plagued with teething troubles that are affecting students
Students after appearing for the Common University Entrance Test-Undergraduate (CUET UG 2022), in the first slot, at North Campus, on July 15, 2022 in New Delhi, India. With 14.9 lakh registrations, the CUET, is now the second biggest entrance exam in the country, surpassing JEEMain's
Image: Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
The senior secondary school years are stressful and crucial for students, as they not only have to prepare for their board exams, but also think about gaining admission to colleges. Lately, the process has been more difficult than usual, with the Covid-19 pandemic bringing multiple obstacles and changes in evaluation patterns.
Till 2021, admissions to central, state, and private universities were largely based on merit, with a few exceptions. However, the National Testing Agency (NTA), in March 2022, introduced the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), a standardised test for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses, diplomas, certification courses, and research programmes. CUET-UG is for admission to undergraduate courses in 90 universities, including 21 private and 12 state universities for the academic year 2022-23.