The Education Ministry on Tuesday announced changes to the National Testing Agency’s examination system, including four-tier question paper checks, the replacement of 600 experts and the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force personnel at its offices.

The measures follow lapses in the UGC-NET examinations and the earlier NEET-UG paper leak.

After a meeting chaired by Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday, the ministry said the NTA had been directed to strengthen security and infrastructure for conducting examinations.

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh informed the ministry that 600 experts had been removed and replacements were being appointed. Between 20 and 25 officials will join the agency within the next three weeks.

The NTA will also move from Okhla to premises on Minto Road in New Delhi, according to sources. CISF personnel will provide security at the new office.

The agency has advertised 10 leadership posts, including chief technology officer, chief finance officer, chief information security officer, general manager for test security and general manager for research, development and psychometrics.

Specialists from the private sector are also being recruited in cybersecurity, psychometrics and question paper design.

The ministry said Joshi had ordered compliance with examination protocols and changes to confidential operations, secluded rooms, air-gapped systems and device-deposit procedures.

The NTA has also been directed to audit its examination processes and submit a report on the corrective measures taken.

The changes follow criticism from opposition parties, student groups and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad over errors in three UGC-NET papers. Protesters have called for the agency to be disbanded, saying repeated lapses have affected students’ academic and career plans.

The NTA said it had reviewed complaints and ordered re-tests in the interests of candidates. English and Commerce papers will be held again on 9 September, while the Sociology paper will be conducted on 10 September.

UGC-NET was held from 22 to 30 June across 87 subjects. A committee appointed by the NTA found anomalies in three papers and recommended that they be conducted again.

Inputs from PTI

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