'MCQs Not Suited For Humanities, Social Sciences': Parliamentary Panel On CUET Exam Pattern

A parliamentary panel has raised concerns about the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), noting that its multiple-choice question (MCQ) format may not be suitable for subjects like humanities and social sciences. The panel has recommended a review of the exam’s design and the quality of its questions to ensure it aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, reported PTI.

The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, said CUET was introduced in the 2022–23 academic session to reduce pressure on students and universities, and to create a level playing field for candidates from different school boards. However, the committee

noted that some of its members are not fully convinced about CUET being used as a common entrance test for all undergraduate admissions.

The observations were part of the panel’s 381st Action Taken Report on the 364th report related to the Department of Higher Education, which was submitted to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.

According to the report, MCQs are not ideal for disciplines that depend on analytical and subjective thinking. “Such formats are particularly unsuitable for humanities and social sciences,” the panel noted, while recommending a review of both the exam structure and question quality.

The committee also pointed out that a single entrance test like CUET may not meet the specific admission needs of certain universities, such as Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which follows a mandate to ensure socio-economic and regional diversity among its students.

The report said, “Multiple-choice question (MCQ) answers are particularly ill-suited for humanities and social sciences disciplines which are definitionally centred on independent, subjective thinking.”

“The Committee recommends review of the quality of question paper and also design of the CUET exam to ensure that it meets the purpose envisaged in NEP, 2020,” the report added.

It added that the matter would be examined further.

Responding to the panel’s observations, the government said the concerns have been noted and that the University Grants Commission (UGC) and National Testing Agency (NTA) have been informed.

The government also highlighted that CUET provides a single application platform, allowing students to apply to multiple universities through one exam. Within just two years, CUET has become the second-largest exam in India, with over 13.5 lakh applicants in 2025.

It further said that the CUET (UG) format has been refined over its first three editions. In 2025, the test was conducted across 37 subjects, and results were announced more than three weeks earlier compared to the previous year.