A parliamentary committee has raised concerns over continuing examination irregularities despite measures taken by the government and has urged the Ministry of Education to publish a time-bound roadmap for implementing reforms recommended by a high-level expert panel.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, presented its 381st Action Taken Report on higher education grants for 2025-26 to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan.

The committee endorsed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s observation that significant improvements were needed in the National Testing Agency (NTA) and called for the swift implementation of recommendations made by the committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.

It also recommended wider consultations with stakeholders to develop a protocol for the administration of nationwide competitive examinations.

While noting steps taken by the ministry, including the formation of a steering committee to oversee reforms, the panel said examination irregularities continued to occur, leading to cancellations and causing anxiety among students. It urged the Department of Higher Education to publish a timeline for implementing the recommendations of the High-Level Committee of Experts.

The committee also flagged the absence of a nationwide database of blacklisted firms involved in examination-related work, noting that vendors barred by one state or organisation could still secure contracts elsewhere. It recommended compiling a national list of such firms.

In its response, the Department of Higher Education said core NTA functions, including question paper setting and evaluation, are not outsourced. It added that the agency maintains records of penalised vendors and requires bidders to disclose any blacklisting by government agencies.

The panel further reiterated its recommendation that the NTA use its surplus funds to strengthen its capabilities. According to the report, the agency generated a surplus of about Rs 448 crore over the past six years after collecting Rs 3,512.98 crore and spending Rs 3,064.77 crore on examinations.

The department said the NTA is self-financing and uses unspent income to support preparatory activities for subsequent years, while any surplus beyond operational requirements could be utilised appropriately.

Inputs from PTI

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