A high-level panel, set up by the Centre to review the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), is considering significant reforms aimed at improving the transparency, efficiency, and security of major entrance exams. The proposed measures include reducing reliance on outsourced staff and exam centers, transitioning more entrance exams to an online format, and capping the number of allowed attempts for high-stakes exams like NEET. The panel is led by former ISRO chief R Radhakrishnan, and its final report is expected soon, following a recent two-week extension requested by the Centre from the Supreme Court.

One of the panel’s primary recommendations is to limit offline exams and instead adopt a hybrid model for exams that cannot yet be fully transitioned online. This shift aims to streamline operations, reduce logistical challenges, and better safeguard the sanctity of the testing process. Furthermore, by minimizing the role of outsourced centers and staff, the panel hopes to ensure exam integrity and reduce risks of security breaches that could compromise test outcomes.

The panel has engaged in extensive consultations, conducting 22 meetings to thoroughly examine the complexities and risks associated with large-scale national exams. In response to the Centre’s call for input, the panel received over 37,000 suggestions from stakeholders, including students, parents, and educational experts, all of which have informed its deliberations. Sources close to the panel have shared that the recommendations reflect a comprehensive understanding of the logistical and security challenges that currently affect NTA’s operations.

The reform committee was prompted by concerns over several high-profile exam irregularities, most notably in NEET and UGC-NET. These exams came under scrutiny after alleged question paper leaks and other security lapses raised questions about NTA’s oversight. In response, the Centre moved to enhance the transparency and robustness of the exam process, even cancelling several exams, such as the CSIR-UGC NET and NEET PG, as a precautionary measure. Both NEET and UGC-NET exams are currently under investigation by the CBI to address any security violations that may have occurred.

The expert panel, assembled with a multidisciplinary approach, includes distinguished members such as former AIIMS Delhi director Dr. Randeep Guleria, Hyderabad Central University Vice-Chancellor B J Rao, IIT Madras Professor Emeritus K Ramamurthy, and PeopleStrong co-founder Pankaj Bansal. IIT Delhi’s Dean of Student Affairs, Aditya Mittal, and Ministry of Education Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal are also contributing to the initiative, bringing a balanced perspective that incorporates academic, administrative, and security expertise.

Additionally, the panel has been tasked with reviewing current security measures, especially around the exam paper-setting processes, to identify vulnerabilities and propose solutions that can strengthen exam reliability and minimize risks. To support this goal, two IIT Kanpur academicians—Computer Science Professor Amey Karkare and Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Debapriya Roy—have joined the committee to lend specialized expertise in technology and structural processes, further reinforcing the panel’s commitment to building a secure and efficient exam system.

The panel’s final recommendations, once submitted, are expected to lay the groundwork for an improved examination framework under the NTA, fostering an environment of fairness, accessibility, and trustworthiness for students nationwide.

Source: PTI

Also read: ABVP submits NTA reform suggestions to Centre’s high-level panel