MCQs 'unsuitable' for Humanities: Why a parliamentary panel wants CUET reviewed
A parliamentary committee has questioned CUET's MCQ-based format, saying it may be unsuitable for humanities and social sciences. The panel recommended reviewing the exam's design and question quality, while also raising concerns about CUET's ability to meet the unique admission requirements of universities such as JNU.
A parliamentary committee has raised concerns over the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), stating that its multiple-choice question (MCQ) format may not be well-suited for subjects such as humanities and social sciences. The panel has recommended a review of the exam's structure and question design to ensure alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, noted that CUET was introduced from the 2022-23 academic session to ease the admission burden on students and universities while creating a level playing field for candidates from different education boards.
The committee noted that some of its members remain unconvinced about the effectiveness of CUET as a universal admission mechanism for undergraduate programmes across the country.
The observations were made in the committee's 381st Action Taken Report, which was submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday.
The report reviews the government's response to recommendations made in the 364th Report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) related to the Department of Higher Education.
MCQ FORMAT UNDER SCRUTINY
The report said, "Multiple-choice question (MCQ) answers are particularly ill-suited for humanities and social sciences disciplines, which are definitionally centred on independent, subjective thinking. The Committee recommends review of the quality of the question paper and also the design of the CUET exam to ensure that it meets the purpose envisaged in NEP, 2020."
CONCERNS OVER A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ADMISSION SYSTEM
The committee further observed that while CUET, as a sole entrance examination, has its merits, it may not allow universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University to adequately address their unique academic and legislative requirements.
"The Committee resolves to deliberate further on the matter. The JNU system of test administration was designed to ensure that the university was able to fulfil the criterion of socio-economic and regional diversity and representation mandated by the JNU Act in its admissions," the report said.
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS CUET'S EXPANSION
In its Action Taken Report, the government stated that the committee's observations had been "duly noted" and that appropriate directions had been conveyed to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The report reiterated that CUET is conducted for admissions to central universities and other participating institutions, offering students a single-window application process through which they can apply to multiple universities by appearing for just one entrance examination.
The government further noted that CUET has "emerged as the second-largest examination in India" within just two years of its launch, attracting 13,54,699 applicants in 2025.
According to the report, the structure of CUET (UG) has been streamlined based on lessons learned from its first three editions. It added that CUET (UG) 2025 was conducted across 37 subjects, with results being declared more than three weeks earlier than they were in 2024.
(With inputs from PTI)
A parliamentary committee has raised concerns over the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), stating that its multiple-choice question (MCQ) format may not be well-suited for subjects such as humanities and social sciences. The panel has recommended a review of the exam's structure and question design to ensure alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, noted that CUET was introduced from the 2022-23 academic session to ease the admission burden on students and universities while creating a level playing field for candidates from different education boards.
The committee noted that some of its members remain unconvinced about the effectiveness of CUET as a universal admission mechanism for undergraduate programmes across the country.
The observations were made in the committee's 381st Action Taken Report, which was submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday.
The report reviews the government's response to recommendations made in the 364th Report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) related to the Department of Higher Education.
MCQ FORMAT UNDER SCRUTINY
The report said, "Multiple-choice question (MCQ) answers are particularly ill-suited for humanities and social sciences disciplines, which are definitionally centred on independent, subjective thinking. The Committee recommends review of the quality of the question paper and also the design of the CUET exam to ensure that it meets the purpose envisaged in NEP, 2020."
CONCERNS OVER A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ADMISSION SYSTEM
The committee further observed that while CUET, as a sole entrance examination, has its merits, it may not allow universities such as Jawaharlal Nehru University to adequately address their unique academic and legislative requirements.
"The Committee resolves to deliberate further on the matter. The JNU system of test administration was designed to ensure that the university was able to fulfil the criterion of socio-economic and regional diversity and representation mandated by the JNU Act in its admissions," the report said.
GOVERNMENT DEFENDS CUET'S EXPANSION
In its Action Taken Report, the government stated that the committee's observations had been "duly noted" and that appropriate directions had been conveyed to the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The report reiterated that CUET is conducted for admissions to central universities and other participating institutions, offering students a single-window application process through which they can apply to multiple universities by appearing for just one entrance examination.
The government further noted that CUET has "emerged as the second-largest examination in India" within just two years of its launch, attracting 13,54,699 applicants in 2025.
According to the report, the structure of CUET (UG) has been streamlined based on lessons learned from its first three editions. It added that CUET (UG) 2025 was conducted across 37 subjects, with results being declared more than three weeks earlier than they were in 2024.
(With inputs from PTI)
