NTA removes 600 experts, four-tier paper check after exam lapses

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has removed 600 subject experts and is onboarding new specialists as part of a major overhaul of its examination system, the Education Ministry said on Tuesday. The agency will also introduce a four-tier question paper checking system and shift its offices to new premises with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security. The changes follow a series of exam lapses, including errors in three UGC-NET papers that led to re-tests and the NEET-UG paper leak that prompted nationwide protests and the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held review meetings on Monday and Tuesday with NTA Director General Abhishek Singh. The ministry said 20 to 25 officials will be inducted over the next two to three weeks. Ten new leadership positions have been advertised, including Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Security Officer. Joshi has ordered a complete audit of all examination processes, with a corrective action report due within 30 days. The NTA has also floated a Rs 7.5 crore tender for round-the-clock security services.

Separately, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the NEET examination system is "foolproof and difficult to breach," citing GPS-tracked vehicles and multi-moderator question banks. The Supreme Court directed the Centre to file an affidavit within three weeks detailing steps taken to implement recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee on institutionalising NTA reforms, noting that "a vibrant system and institutionalisation is what needs to be done."