New Delhi: After facing backlash from the aspirants and teachers for its “insensitive” tweet a few days ago, the National Testing Agency is now mending its ways, posting encouraging messages that can help keep the candidates’ morale high.
The controversial tweet read: “You think it’s just a question paper? That’s the biggest illusion students live in.”
Many students online said that the messaging appeared to mock the anxiety and pressure faced by lakhs of aspirants. Screenshots of the post were widely circulated even after it was reportedly edited.
The agency conducts some of India’s most competitive exams, such as NET, NEET, JEE, which students spend years preparing for.
Some critics online said that such a big institution should communicate reassurance, clarity and transparency, rather than attempt at being edgy or endorse provocative messaging.
“What is this NTA? Why so much hatred for NEET aspirants? You shamelessly challenged 17 year olds,” asked one X user while posting the screenshot of that post.
“The problematic post scared students. This exam already puts so much pressure on the students, and we have witnessed so many suicides. The agency should motivate the aspirants, and that post was threatening. Now they are doing damage control by posting positive tweets,” Joginder Yadav, a Physics teacher who teaches NEET aspirants, told ThePrint.
Also Read: NEET-PG cut-off reduction didn’t alter merit, only expanded pool—Centre reiterates stand in SC
Edits and rephrasals
Later, the NTA edited the controversial tweet.
“Still making excuses about your mock scores? The NTA is deploying the latest mechanisms, including AI, to ensure this year’s exam is foolproof,” the post reportedly read.
In the competitive exam world, mock papers are full-length practice exams that simulate the actual test environment, timing, and difficulty. Students take these weekly to gauge their readiness. The NTA’s reference to “making excuses about mock scores” was a dig at students who might be performing poorly in practice tests and blaming external factors.
The post also claimed that students should focus on their studies and that the agency would handle the rest.
After the criticism, however, the focus of the agency’s posts has largely moved toward motivational and positive messaging for aspirants.
“Dear NEET Aspirants, Your mental health and well-being are our top priority. No examination is more important than your life. If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, please reach out immediately to these official helplines: Tele-MANAS (24×7 National Mental Health Helpline) 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 (Free, confidential counselling in multiple languages),” reads the pinned post on their X page.
“You are not alone. Help is available. Talk to someone today. Take care of yourself. We believe in you,” the post added.
In another post, the agency asked students to remain calm.
“Stay calm and trust your preparation on exam day. Focus on reading carefully, planning smartly, and attempting with confidence. No matter the paper, your strategy stays the same,” the testing agency wrote.
The NTA is one of the biggest testing agencies. and it continues to face intense scrutiny over exam management following controversies in recent years, including NEET-UG 2024, NET 2024 and CUET UG 2024. As the controversies mount, so too do the questions over the agency’s transparency, technical issues, and trust in examination systems.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)