In recent days, two significant news stories have dominated headlines: the case of IAS officer Pooja Khedkar and the NEET exam paper leak. These incidents highlight critical issues within India’s education system, including the coaching factory and the pervasive influence of money in exams. During my teenage years, the primary hunger among students was for knowledge. We eagerly sought books and other sources of information to deepen our understanding of various subjects. In the final years, students took coaching classes to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in competitive exams. Fast forward twenty years, my major concern is that the education landscape has dramatically shifted from a pursuit of knowledge to a win-at-any-cost mentality, with coaching factories.

IAS Officer Pooja Khedkar and NEET Exam Paper Leak

The cases of IAS officer Pooja Khedkar and the NEET exam paper leak exemplify how money and the desire to win at any cost have corrupted the system. Pooja Khedkar, as reported, exploited the quota system and misrepresented her financial status during her IAS interview, a trick taught by coaching centers. The NEET exam has been plagued by paper leaks, grace marks, and instances of students scoring perfect marks under dubious circumstances. Families with financial means often ensure their children secure seats in prestigious institutions by any means necessary, leading to a future where hospitals run by such individuals prioritize profit over patient care. The quest to win at any cost has led some to exploit the system and misrepresent their circumstances to secure prestigious positions. Pooja Khedkar’s case is a prime example of this exploitation, as coaching centers trained her to present a misleading narrative to gain an unfair advantage.This is evident in her behavior, such as wanting to showcase a red light on her personal Audi and seeking special treatment for her family and relatives.

Rise of Coaching Factory

Today, competitive exams for fields such as medicine, engineering, and civil services are dominated by coaching factories. These institutions teach students not just the subject matter but also tricks and techniques to excel in exams and interviews. This shift has raised concerns among major educational institutes about the selection process, as many students from coaching factory focus solely on winning at any cost, often neglecting the true purpose of education. Coaching factory fiercely compete to produce top results, teaching students methods to game the system. This focus on short-term success undermines the broader educational mission of instilling knowledge and ethical values.

Administrative Reform

After retiring early at 40 and deciding not to work for others, My Hunger to knowledge help me delved into India’s constitution, learning about its three pillars: government, administration, and judiciary. To me, It became clear that administrative roles require individuals dedicated to upholding constitutional values and ethics. In NEET, the guys who will become future doctor should not only be hungry for money but for giving back to society and person in need. In Civil services the aspirants should be judge on the basis of ethical and moral values and commitment towards Indian constitution, along with thorough background check.
As a firm believer in the free dissemination of authentic knowledge, I advocate for a level playing field in competitive exams. Coaching factory should not determine success; instead, mechanisms should be established to evaluate candidates holistically. This evaluation should include educational track records, moral and ethical education, background checks and a genuine commitment to the country’s welfare.

My View: For me, the pursuit of knowledge is paramount, with money, power, and change naturally follows. Coaching factory should not become the cornerstone of the education system. The current trend of prioritizing monetary gain and winning at any cost undermines the true purpose of education. Instead, the focus should be on a well-rounded education system that emphasizes genuine learning, critical thinking, and personal development. It’s crucial to reform the system to ensure that aspirants are selected based on their knowledge, integrity, and dedication to serving the nation, rather than their will to succeed at any cost or by a product of coaching factory. Only then can we hope to nurture a generation that values knowledge and ethics over wealth and power.

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