3 October 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The net result will be poor doctoral research

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

The use of the National Eligibility Test (NET) for PhD admissions in India has sparked debate due to concerns over its efficacy in assessing research potential. Critics argue that it undermines institutional autonomy and limits research diversity. The reliance on standardised testing may disadvantage marginalised students.

Use of NET for PhD Admissions

• The National Eligibility Test (NET) has become a primary criterion for PhD admissions in India, sparking significant debate in the academic community.
• Traditionally, NET was used to qualify candidates for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) and determine eligibility for assistant professorships.
• Its increasing role in determining PhD admissions raises questions about its effectiveness in assessing true research potential.

Limitations of NET in Assessing Research Potential

• NET is entirely based on multiple-choice questions (MCQs), which primarily assess memory and recall, failing to evaluate critical thinking and analytical skills.
• PhD research requires deep engagement with complex ideas, creativity, and the ability to critique existing knowledge — qualities that the current format of NET does not adequately assess.
• In fields such as literature, social sciences, and humanities, where interpretation and analysis are crucial, MCQs reduce intricate subject matter to trivial questions.
• This approach limits the ability of the test to assess candidates’ capacity to develop nuanced arguments and engage with broader theoretical concepts.

Disadvantages for Marginalised Communities

• The reliance on NET scores for PhD admissions disproportionately disadvantages students from marginalised communities.
• These students often face greater barriers in accessing resources for exam preparation, and the high cost of coaching further exacerbates inequality.
• Many talented students from marginalised backgrounds are excluded from PhD programs, not due to a lack of intellectual capability, but because of systemic barriers.

Impact on Institutional Autonomy

• Centralising PhD admissions through the NET undermines the autonomy of higher educational institutions, which have traditionally selected candidates based on research proposals, interviews, and discipline-specific tests.
• This “one-size-fits-all” approach threatens the diversity and innovation that are essential for academic research in India.
• Institutional autonomy is crucial in shaping research programs and recruiting candidates based on specific institutional and disciplinary needs.

Failure to Prepare Students for Doctoral Research

• The current emphasis on NET scores limits the range of skills needed for doctoral research, such as original insight, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and scholarly discourse.
• These tasks require strong analytical abilities, creativity, and effective communication skills — competencies that the NET does not foster.
• Instead, the NET encourages rote learning and a superficial engagement with the subject.

Concerns about Brain Drain

• As India aspires to become a global leader in education and research, many students are increasingly opting to pursue PhDs abroad due to limitations in the domestic system.
• The emphasis on standardised testing, such as the NET, may stifle creativity and critical thinking, which are nurtured more effectively in holistic and flexible admission processes abroad.
• If the current trend of rigid, centralised PhD admissions continues, more students may seek opportunities overseas, where their research potential is evaluated comprehensively.

Narrowing the Scope of Academic Inquiry

• The growing reliance on NET scores as the primary criterion for PhD admissions may inadvertently narrow the scope of research in India.
• Research thrives on diversity — in thought, methodology, and perspective — but standardised testing that values rote memorisation over critical thinking limits this diversity.
• This could result in cultivating a generation of scholars better at passing exams than pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
• The narrowing of academic inquiry threatens the development of original ideas and innovative research, which are crucial for progress in any field.

The Need for a Holistic Approach

• The challenge is not just to select candidates who excel in standardised tests but to create a system that nurtures the diverse talents needed for groundbreaking research.
• By adopting a more holistic approach, India can retain its brightest minds and ensure a dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive higher education system.
• To maintain its global academic standing, India must embrace PhD admissions that value creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to academic research.

PYQ: Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as our business operations, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer oriented. Critically comment. (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2014)

Practice Question:  Discuss the implications of using the National Eligibility Test (NET) as a primary criterion for PhD admissions in India. How does this affect research diversity, institutional autonomy, and inclusivity in higher education? (150 Words /10 marks)