Unacademy’s CEO, Gaurav Munjal, recently utilized a social platform to discuss the importance of standardized exams such as NEET, JEE, and UPSC. This conversation stemmed from criticism by Dr. Aniruddha Malpani, a doctor based in Mumbai, who labeled these exams as “useless” and questioned Munjal’s support for them, insinuating a conflict of interest due to Unacademy’s involvement in exam preparation.

Mumbai-based doctor, Aniruddha Malpani, criticised Mr Munjal’s stance on these exams, suggesting they are “useless”. “It’s hard to believe that @gauravmunjal  doesn’t know how useless high-stake standardised exams like NEET and JEE are. Yes, he makes money on exam prep, but that’s no reason to be so ignorant!,” the Mumbai doctor said.

Mr Munjal questioned whether Dr Malpani considered NEET, JEE, and UPSC exams as “dumb” in a previous query on X. “You’re saying that JEE, NEET and UPSC are dumb exams?” he asked.

Mr Munjal went on to defend standardised exams, “Okay. Next time you go to a Hospital / please ask for a Doctor who got Admission through Management Quota and not NEET. These Exams are merit based / they are probably the best Products that India has created,” Mr Munjal said. “I know of so many people whose lives changed because they cleared these Examinations. 50-60% of all Admissions in Ivy League Universities in US are Legacy Admissions or through Donations,” he continued, adding, “We must take pride in the fact that these Exams still exist. They bring fairness and sanity to an otherwise broken System”.

In response, Dr Malapani argued that Mr Munjal’s perspective only considers success stories, overlooking the struggles of millions of students who invest years preparing for exams but fail to secure admission. “What a waste of human capital? The opportunity cost they pay ? The exams are a sham, because they are designed to favour the rich,” he wrote.