Trust Reset

As the recent protests over the NEET paper leak showed, India’s examination system has reached a point where incremental repairs are no longer enough. The appointment of a high-powered task force on examination reforms, headed by technology pioneer Nandan Nilekani, is therefore not merely an administrative response to the NEET-UG paper leak crisis but a concrete attempt to rebuild confidence in one of the country’s most important public institutions. Examinations are gateways to opportunity,...

min read

As the recent protests over the NEET paper leak showed, India’s examination system has reached a point where incremental repairs are no longer enough. The appointment of a high-powered task force on examination reforms, headed by technology pioneer Nandan Nilekani, is therefore not merely an administrative response to the NEET-UG paper leak crisis but a concrete attempt to rebuild confidence in one of the country’s most important public institutions. Examinations are gateways to opportunity, social mobility and professional ambition. For millions of students across the country, a competitive examination represents years of sacrifice by families and the possibility of a better future. When question papers leak repeatedly, evaluation systems fail or allegations of manipulation emerge, the resulting damage strikes at the idea of fairness itself. The crisis surrounding NEET-UG exposed uncomfortable vulnerabilities in the country’s examination infrastructure. The resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the subsequent appointment of Pralhad Joshi with additional charge of the ministry underlined the political seriousness of the issue. But political accountability alone cannot fix a structural problem. That is why the composition of the new task force is a move on the right direction. It brings together expertise from technology, space research, intelligence, education administration and logistics. Nilekani’s appointment is particularly significant. The former Infosys chief executive and architect of Aadhaar has experience in building large-scale digital public infrastructure involving hundreds of millions of citizens. The Aadhaar project itself was born out of a similar challenge: how to create a reliable identity system in a country where leakages and duplication weakened welfare delivery. India’s examination system now requires the same kind of thinking. The committee’s mandate to examine the entire examination lifecycle - from question paper creation and distribution to candidate verification, evaluation and results - is the right approach. The problem lies in multiple weak points where human intervention, poor security protocols and outdated processes can create opportunities for malpractice. Technology will inevitably be central to the solution. Artificial intelligence can help detect unusual patterns, blockchain-based verification can strengthen record security and better data systems can improve transparency. But a secure examination system requires independent oversight, professional management, clear accountability and swift punishment for wrongdoing. India’s National Testing Agency was created to bring efficiency and standardisation to public examinations. Its credibility must now be restored through reforms that are visible and trusted by students. The Nilekani task force has been given the difficult job of repairing that trust. The government has chosen a committee led by people with experience of managing complex national systems. It is a sensible first step. The real test will now be whether its recommendations translate into action.

Are Women Better Investors Than Men?

Kaustubh Kale
Feb 28
2 min read

As we enter March and celebrate International Women’s Day this month, much of the spotlight rightly falls on women’s achievements in business, leadership, science, and public life. Yet one area where women often outperform men - and still receive too little recognition - is investing.

Money management is often seen as a male-dominated space. However, across households and financial markets, women have quietly and consistently demonstrated qualities that make them better investors. Their patience, discipline, and long-term thinking often lead to stronger financial outcomes.

Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi

In Hindu mythology, Goddess Saraswati symbolizes knowledge and Goddess Lakshmi symbolizes wealth. These two pillars - knowledge and wealth - are deeply connected in investing. Wise wealth creation comes not from speed or speculation, but from understanding, learning, and sound decision-making.

In this, women often excel. They tend to take the time to understand financial matters, ask the right questions, and make informed choices instead of chasing trends.

Why Women Make Better Investors

Patience and Long-Term Vision: Men are often more prone to impulsive decisions, frequent trading, or the temptation of quick gains. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to stay invested with a long-term mindset. Their ability to remain calm during market volatility can significantly improve returns over time.

Disciplined and Goal-Based: Women are naturally strong at budgeting, planning, and aligning money with life goals - whether it is children’s education, buying a home, or retirement security. Their emotional connection to these goals often helps them remain consistent and disciplined in investing.

Risk-Aware, Not Risk-Averse: Women are often misunderstood as risk-averse. In reality, they are usually risk-aware. They tend to take calculated risks and prefer appropriate asset allocation instead of reckless exposure. This balanced approach can help create wealth while managing downside risk.

Trust and Willingness to Learn: Women are often more open to financial education and more willing to seek guidance from qualified financial advisors. Unlike many men who may overestimate their investing ability, women often approach investing with humility and a learning mindset. Once they trust the right expert, they are more likely to stay committed to a sensible long-term plan.

Women Leading the Financial World

These qualities also explain why many leading financial institutions today are successfully led by women. Their blend of strategic thinking, discipline, and emotional intelligence makes them exceptional money managers - both personally and professionally.

Final Thoughts

As more women recognize these natural strengths, they can take even greater control of their financial futures - and build lasting wealth with confidence.

(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

1 Comment

foweh69528

Mar 03

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