AN APPETITE FOR REFORM

The Indian public seems more amenable to socio-political reform, but with caution. Encouragingly, a majority of the respondents say they feel free to express their opinions

- AMARNATH K. MENON

The call for change, ushering in people-centric reforms and schemes in various sectors, from education to agriculture, echoes loudly across India. But while the respondents of the India Today Mood of the Nation (MOTN) August 2024 poll welcome reforms, they remain cautious about certain changes, such as the three new criminal laws, and favour robust checks and balances. The spectre of paper leaks looms large, putting a question mark on the conduct of multiple recruitment and entrance exams. The MOTN poll reveals that the most widely held perception - 28.2 per cent - is that the central government is primarily responsible for the paper leaks earlier this year, followed by the authorities tasked with conducting the tests (21.2 per cent).

That the state governments are responsible is the view held by a significant 18.8 per cent of the respondents while 13.3 per cent believe the individuals involved in the process of paper preparation and distribution are culpable. Just 7.3 per cent suspect the role of organised gangs in question paper leaks.