In recent years, India has witnessed a significant increase in examination fees across various educational boards and professional bodies. This trend has raised concerns among students, parents, and various stakeholders, prompting questions about the underlying reasons for this upward trend.
While there is no single definitive answer, a combination of factors contributes to the rising cost of examinations in India.
Increasing Costs of Conducting Examinations:
Conducting examinations involves a substantial amount of resources, including personnel, printing, logistics, and venue rentals. With rising inflation and the increasing complexity of examination processes, the overall cost of conducting examinations has also been on the rise. To cover these expenses, examination boards and professional bodies have resorted to increasing examination fees.
Enhancing Exam Security and Preventing Fraud:
In response to growing concerns about exam cheating and malpractice, examination bodies have implemented stricter security measures and anti-fraudulent practices. These measures, such as enhanced surveillance, biometric authentication, and sophisticated printing techniques, add to the overall cost of conducting examinations, necessitating higher examination fees.
Funding for Educational Initiatives and Infrastructure:
Examination fees often serve as a source of funding for various educational initiatives and infrastructure development. These initiatives may include curriculum development, teacher training, digital learning platforms, and modernisation of examination centres. By increasing examination fees, examination boards can secure the necessary funds to support these endeavours.
Adjusting for Inflation and Maintaining Financial Sustainability:
Like any organisation, examination boards and professional bodies face the challenges of inflation and the need for financial sustainability. Increasing examination fees is often seen as a way to adjust for rising operational costs and ensure the long-term financial viability of these institutions.
Addressing Demand for Professional Certifications and Higher Education:
The demand for professional certifications and higher education in India has been steadily increasing. As more and more individuals seek these qualifications, examination boards experience a surge in the number of examinees. To manage this growing demand and ensure the smooth conduct of examinations, examination fees may be raised.
Impact on Students and Families:
The rising examination fees have placed an additional financial burden on students and their families. For some, the cost of examinations may deter them from pursuing higher education or professional certifications, potentially limiting their educational and career opportunities.
