The Hamster Wheel

A story of CLAT and other Competitive Exams in India.

“The true purpose of education is not to fill the minds of students with facts, but to teach them to think for themselves and to challenge the status quo.”

Neil deGrasse Tyson

The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a competitive exam used to determine admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in India. Each year, thousands of students apply to take the CLAT to secure a spot at one of the participating National Law Universities.

As soon as students conclude their secondary education, they are thrust into the cutthroat competition to secure a place in a National Law University through the Common Law Admission Test. They spare no expense in pursuing a coveted seat, toiling tirelessly and giving their utmost effort despite the unequal footing conferred upon some contenders by the exam's structure. However, all too often, their endeavors are for naught, leaving them feeling like failures after failing to secure a spot. But the process of attaining a seat is fundamentally so competitive and intentionally or unintentionally designed to undermine the students' psychological well-being.

The imbalanced ratio of available seats to qualified applicants is why the Common Law Admission Test, and any competitive exam in India, is so challenging and often feels unattainable. For instance, in 2022, CLAT received 60,895 applications for just 2,175 seats at 22 National Law Universities (of which 1308 are All India Seats). This means that to secure a place at any National Law University, an applicant would need to be in the top 3% of all test-takers, and for those aiming for the top five institutions, they would need to rank within the top 0.6% of all candidates. The statistics clearly illustrate the immense pressure and competitiveness of the process further pushed by the fact that these institutions only consider the rankings in their qualifying tests.

Critics may argue that competition in education is natural and beneficial, but this belief is fundamentally flawed. Education should not be viewed as a competition but rather as an opportunity for individuals to learn, grow, and develop their full potential. In a highly competitive environment, students may focus more on outperforming their peers than exploring new ideas or taking creative risks. This can stifle creativity and hinder the development of new knowledge.

Competition in education can also widen existing inequalities, as it often favors students from privileged backgrounds or with access to resources. This perpetuates the notion that success is determined by external factors rather than one's abilities and efforts. What matters is the "course" you enroll for in the coaching institute, the level of English you were exposed to in school, and the facilities and privileges that give you an edge.

It is essential to recognize that education should prioritize the holistic development of students and foster a supportive and collaborative learning environment. This will enable individuals to reach their full potential and contribute to the betterment of society rather than blindly forcing students to run on the hamster wheel.

The impetus for writing this blog stems from a fundamental belief that a diligent and hardworking student, who consistently exerted their utmost effort and ranked in the top 5% of the test takers, should not be made to feel as if they have failed.

 As someone who has witnessed the hard work and dedication of a student who has achieved top percentile ranking, it pains me to see them feeling like a failure. Each and every one of us has the right to feel proud of our accomplishments, no matter how big or small society might make them seem. It is not suitable for anyone to be made to feel like they are not good enough, especially when they have put in so much effort and dedication to their studies.

 We must strive to create a culture of support and encouragement rather than competition and judgement, to foster a sense of community and to belong among all students.

To all those preparing to take, or have taken, a competitive examination, I plead with you: do not allow this singular event to determine your self-worth or your place in society. Your value as a human being extends far beyond the score you may achieve on an exam. It is crucial to remember that your worth is not solely determined by your performance on a test but rather by the unique qualities and talents that you bring to the world. Do not let the pressure or stress of competition consume you or cloud your sense of self. Instead, strive to cultivate a sense of self-acceptance and self-compassion, and recognize that your worth is not defined by external validation or achievement. I hope that you will embrace your worth and potential and find fulfilment and happiness in all you do.
Comment your thoughts/anxieties/opinions below.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
Winston Churchill