Amid controversies surrounding recent exams like NEET-UG and UGC-NET, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has come under scrutiny. Last week, the agency underwent leadership changes, and a high-level committee is now evaluating its operations. Here’s an overview of how this seven-year-old body functions:

Establishment and Structure
The NTA was established in 2017 under the Ministry of Education (formerly HRD Ministry) as an autonomous testing organization. It operates as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and falls under the purview of the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Prior to NTA’s formation, various government bodies and universities like UGC, CBSE, Delhi University, and JNU conducted their own exams.

Origins and Vision
The concept of NTA dates back to the Programme of Action 1992 related to the National Education Policy 1986, which recommended a centralized exam agency. In 2010, a committee of IIT directors proposed its creation through legislation for autonomy and transparency, inspired by the US-based ETS (Educational Testing Service). The NTA was officially announced in 2017, and Vineet Joshi was its first Director General.

Examinations Conducted
NTA conducts several prominent exams including JEE-Main, NEET-UG, CUET-UG, CUET-PG, UGC-NET, and CSIR UGC-NET. These exams determine admissions to various undergraduate and postgraduate courses across India, impacting millions of candidates annually. Other exams managed by NTA include CMAT, Hotel Management Joint Entrance Exam, Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test, and others for institutions like Delhi University, JNU, IIFT, and ICAR.

Recent Controversies
NTA faced criticism this year for granting grace marks to NEET candidates and subsequent allegations of mark inflation and question paper leaks. UGC-NET was abruptly cancelled due to exam integrity concerns, confirmed by Education Ministry reports of leaked papers on darknet. Earlier, CUET-UG also encountered technical issues during its debut.

Test Centre Selection
NTA selects exam centres from a base list comprising government schools with a history of conducting exams without malpractice. If needed, AICTE-recognized institutes can also serve as centres. Consent from schools or institutions is required annually via NTA’s dashboard.

Current Focus and Reform
Currently, NTA is focused on releasing CUET-UG results promptly, rescheduling UGC-NET, and implementing reforms. Following leadership changes, Pradeep Singh Kharola has assumed additional responsibilities as interim DG. A government panel is tasked with suggesting reforms for exam processes, enhancing data security, and improving NTA’s structure within two months.

This summarises the functioning and recent challenges faced by the National Testing Agency in managing key entrance exams crucial for higher education admissions in India.

Also read: Supreme Court issues notice to NTA on NEET-UG OMR sheets