Year after year, students across India raise a common concern: “Why are there out-of-syllabus questions in exams like NEET, JEE, and CUET?” While the issue sparks noise and frustration, especially on social media, experts and exam bodies often paint a different picture.

The Complaint vs. The Reality

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts most major competitive exams in India. While student protests over “out-of-syllabus” questions are not new, experts argue the claims are often exaggerated.

“Students panic when the language or structure of a question is unfamiliar,” says Prof. Ashok Kumar, former vice-chancellor of multiple universities. “But a question that seems tough or twisted isn't necessarily out of syllabus.”

He adds that question papers typically include:

• 50–60% easy questions
• 10% tough and twisted ones — designed to differentiate top performers
• Remaining moderately difficult

These challenging questions often become the basis of merit and selection, and aren't always from outside the syllabus, but are simply phrased in a way that feels unfamiliar.

When Controversies Actually Happened

Despite expert explanations, real controversies have occurred. Here's a look at notable incidents:

• 2015 – JEE Advanced: Students flagged out-of-syllabus questions in Physics & Math. The disputed questions were later scrapped and everyone received bonus marks.
• 2018 – NEET (Tamil Medium): Errors in translation led to students receiving incorrect or unfamiliar questions. Courts allowed some to reappear.
• 2020 – NEET (Biology): Students complained about questions not covered in NCERT. NTA did not provide clarification.
• 2021 – JEE Mains: Students again pointed to unfamiliar questions, but no action was taken despite concerns raised by coaching institutes.
• 2022 – CUET Debut Year: Technical glitches aside, students claimed several questions were outside the announced syllabus. No response from NTA.
• 2023 – NEET (Physics & Chemistry): Students alleged certain questions weren’t in NCERT. The complaint gained traction online but was ignored officially.
• 2024 – NEET UG: A student approached Delhi High Court over two allegedly out-of-syllabus questions. The court sided with the NTA, saying it wouldn’t interfere with the judgment of experts.

Students Can Challenge Questions — But There’s a Catch

The NTA provides a formal process to challenge problematic questions, but it’s so complex and bureaucratic that very few students actually pursue it. Even when they do, courts are selective in taking up cases, often dismissing what they consider trivial.

Example:

• 2024 – Madras HC Case: A power outage during NEET disrupted the exam for 13 students. The court ordered a temporary stay on results until the issue was resolved.
• Other student petitions in recent years — particularly over question quality — were dismissed for lack of merit.

Bottom Line: Systemic Gaps or Student Panic?

While some past incidents validate student concerns, many complaints stem from anxiety, unfamiliar framing of questions, or a lack of preparation. Experts suggest better exam literacy and stress management, while students demand greater accountability and transparency from testing agencies.

In today’s digital age, one confusing question can spark a viral outrage — but that doesn’t always mean the system is wrong.