The Central Government has announced major changes to the examination system of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which has been facing criticism over irregularities in the UGC-NET paper and the NEET-UG paper leak. To make the examination system more secure and accountable, the Ministry of Education has decided to implement a four-tier verification process for question papers, replace 600 existing experts with new ones, and hand over the security of NTA offices to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Four-Tier Verification for Question Papers
According to the Ministry of Education, a four-tier verification system will be implemented to strengthen the process of preparing and vetting question papers. Additionally, the monitoring of confidential exam-related operations and security protocols will be tightened.
Replacement of 600 Experts with New Ones
The Ministry stated that sweeping changes have been made to the NTA’s examination team. Approximately 600 experts have been replaced by new ones. Experts from the private sector are also being inducted in fields such as cybersecurity, psychometrics, question paper preparation, and other specialized areas.
Induction of 20-25 New Officers Soon
To strengthen the NTA’s human resources, 20 to 25 officers will be inducted over the next two to three weeks. Furthermore, advertisements have been issued for 10 new positions, including Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), General Manager (Exam Security), and General Manager (R&D and Psychometrics). The recruitment process for these posts is currently underway.
NTA Office to Shift from Okhla to Minto Road
The Ministry announced that NTA offices would be relocated to new premises on a war footing. According to sources, the NTA office in the national capital will be shifted from Okhla to Minto Road. Robust security arrangements, managed by CISF teams, will be ensured at the new premises. Emphasis on Air-Gapped Systems and Separate Rooms
In a meeting held on Monday, Education Minister Pralhad Joshi issued directives to ensure strict adherence to examination protocols. According to the Ministry, comprehensive changes regarding the structure of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)—covering aspects such as separate rooms, air-gapped systems, and device deposit procedures—will be implemented on a war footing.
Thorough Audit of All Processes
The Ministry has directed the NTA to conduct a thorough audit of all examination-related processes and submit a report on the corrective measures taken so far. The government’s objective is to make the examination system more secure, fair, and error-free.
Criticism Mounts Following Decision to Re-conduct UGC-NET
The NTA is facing criticism from opposition parties and protesting student organizations following the announcement to re-conduct the UGC-NET examination for research scholars. NTA sources state that the decision to hold the exam again was taken in the broader interest of the candidates after actively considering the grievances raised. The agency asserts that it will ensure a more accountable examination system in the future by reviewing its internal processes and regulations.
