In a recent social media exchange, Gaurav Munjal, the CEO of Unacademy, defended the importance of high-stakes standardized exams such as IIT-JEE and NEET. This came in response to a Mumbai-based doctor’s criticism, who expressed disbelief that Munjal could be unaware of the perceived uselessness of these exams.
Munjal took to X, a social media platform, to share his perspective on these exams. He argued that these exams are merit-based and are among the best products that India has created. He further stated that he knows many people whose lives have been transformed because they cleared these examinations.
In his post, Munjal also highlighted the contrast between admissions processes in India and the United States. He pointed out that 50-60% of all admissions in Ivy League Universities in the US are either legacy admissions or through donations. In contrast, exams like IIT-JEE and NEET ensure a merit-based admission process in India.
“We must take pride in the fact that these exams still exist. They bring fairness and sanity to an otherwise broken system,” Munjal wrote in his tweet. His comments underscore the ongoing debate about the role and value of high-stakes standardized exams in the Indian education system. Despite the criticism, Munjal’s stance affirms the belief that these exams play a crucial role in upholding meritocracy in India’s academic landscape.
