Board Marks May Get 50% Weightage in NEET, JEE Admissions: Sources

The Union government is considering a proposal to give up to 50 per cent weightage to Class 12 board examination marks in admissions to medical and engineering colleges through NEET and JEE, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The move is intended to reduce the high-stakes nature of entrance examinations and address concerns over the current system's credibility, which has been plagued by evaluation errors and paper leaks in recent years.

“The changes being contemplated are 50 per cent weightage for board marks in admission or merit, closer alignment of entrance tests with school syllabi to reduce dependence on coaching centres, multiple attempts and a gradual shift towards adaptive on-demand computer-based tests,” a source said.

The proposal comes amid a broader debate on examination reforms. In June, thousands of students appeared for the NEET exam for the second time in six weeks after the first test was cancelled due to alleged irregularities. Similarly, the JEE Main exam has faced scrutiny over discrepancies in results.

If implemented, the new system would significantly alter the admission process for engineering and medical colleges. Currently, admission to these institutions is almost entirely based on scores in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical courses and the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for engineering courses.

Education experts have welcomed the proposal but caution that implementation would require careful calibration. “A sudden shift could create confusion. The weightage formula, equivalence of board marks across states, and computation of merit must be clearly defined,” said a professor of education policy at a central university.

The proposal also includes exploring multiple attempts for entrance exams and eventually moving to computer-based adaptive tests tailored to each student's ability. These measures aim to reduce stress and reliance on expensive coaching centres.

A senior official in the Ministry of Education stated that no final decision has been taken. “Several options are being discussed. Any change will be introduced only after extensive consultation with stakeholders, including state governments, school boards, and higher education institutions,” the official said.

Opposition parties have criticised the government's handling of examination reforms, accusing it of ad-hoc policy-making. However, the ministry maintains that the proposed changes are part of a long-term vision to make the admission process fairer and less stressful for students.

As the debate continues, students and parents await clarity on the timeline and modalities of the proposed changes. The government is expected to release a discussion paper on the reforms in the coming months.