75 years after Independence, our systems are woefully inadequate to address the aspirations of our youth. Worse, we have foisted our failure onto them by linking this inadequate supply with the dubious categorisation of “merit”.

Real Scam Behind Neet and Competitive Exams

• Integrity in Exams: Recent NEET exam corruption has attracted attention. Competitive exams for higher education and jobs must maintain absolute integrity.
• Inadequate Opportunities: 24 lakh students vie for only 1 lakh seats, highlighting a severe supply-demand gap. India, despite being the fifth-largest economy, fails to meet youth aspirations. 
  • Meritocracy leads to exclusion, labeling most students as lacking merit.
• Systemic Issues Beyond Medical Education: The problem is widespread across various sectors, including education and employment. Limited opportunities are often ignored, shifting blame onto youth for lack of merit. Focus on corruption distracts from addressing the core issue.
• Historical and Current Indifference: Indifference to youth engagement persists, beyond being a legacy issue. Economic and democratic engagement of youth remains neglected. Aspiration levels are high, but support systems are inadequate.
• Narrow Definition of Success: Success is narrowly defined as wealth and power. Education and job markets do not provide sufficient pathways for achieving these aspirations. Meritocracy celebrates a few, sidelining the majority.
• Consequences of Restricted Success: Restricting success to a minority fosters discontent and alienation. Many young people struggle to secure basic formal employment. Systemic bottlenecks deny opportunities, leading to a sense of injustice and hopelessness.
• Addressing Youth Discontent: Platitudes about exams not mattering ring hollow due to limited pathways for upward mobility. Mismatch between aspirations and reality for youth is massive. Current solutions lack a bi-partisan, nationwide approach.

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Steps Towards a Solution

• Political Responsibility and Institutional Response: Political class must rise above partisan divides to address the problem. Requires massive public investment in quality education infrastructure.
• Social Solidarity: Shed dismissive attitudes towards the working class. Foster a sense of social solidarity.
• Role of the Elite: India’s elite should expand opportunities for less advantaged youth. Move beyond self-satisfaction and contribute more meaningfully.

Conclusion

A decisive, sustained mission led by the highest leadership is crucial. Expanding educational and employment opportunities is imperative. Simply cancelling exams and prosecuting individuals dodges accountability and worsens youth disillusionment.