A parliamentary committee has expressed concerns over the Common University Entrance Test’s (CUET) paper format, stating that the multiple-choice format may not be appropriate students from humanities or social science streams. The committee further urged the authorities to rethink the question design and qualifying criteria in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, noted that the common entrance test was introduced in 2022-23 to alleviate the burden on students, universities, and the entire education system, while ensuring parity among candidates qualifying from distinct boards. Nevertheless, some committee members do not perceive CUET as beneficial as the ‘universal admissions method’ for undergraduate studies, it said in a report submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday. It was the 381st Action Taken Report on recommendations contained in the 364th Report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) for the Department of Higher Education. The report stated, "Multiple-choice question (MCQ) answers are particularly ill-suited for humanities and social science disciplines, which are definitionally centred on independent, subjective thinking." "The Committee recommends a 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," it added. While the committee acknowledged CUET’s merits, it contended that the exam does not permit institutes like Jawaharlal Nehru University, with their specific legislative mandates, to meet their specific requirements. "The Committee resolves to deliberate further on the matter," it said. "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. The government, in its action taken report, said that the observations of the committee were duly noted and that the UGC and NTA have been accordingly advised. Besides this, the committee raised concerns over recurring exam-related irregularities despite the government's efforts, advising that the Ministry of Education present a time-bound blueprint for executing reforms recommended by a high-level panel. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Education, CBSE, JEE, UPSC and around the world. Deepali Samaniya has been covering education for the past 2 years with a passion for SEO and a knack for crafting engaging stories. She specialises in... View More