Indian govt announces comprehensive overhaul of NTA amid exam irregularities

In response to escalating concerns over irregularities in competitive exams, the BJP-led Central government in India has taken decisive steps, including the replacement of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) chief. A series of mishaps culminated in allegations of cheating during the NEET-UG exam, prompting the government to hand the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and postpone the NEET-PG entrance exam. This action followed last week’s cancellation of the UGC-NET exam after the discovery of its question paper on the darknet and Telegram.

Amidst the fallout, the government has removed NTA Director General Subodh Singh, placing him on “compulsory wait” within the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman and Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), will assume interim leadership of the NTA. A seven-member panel, led by former ISRO Chief K Radhakrishnan, has been established to review the NTA’s operations and suggest necessary reforms. The panel’s membership includes notable figures such as former AIIMS Delhi Director Randeep Guleria and Professor Emeritus K Ramamurthy from IIT Madras.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring “transparent, tamper-free, and zero-error examinations.” He assured that stringent actions are being taken against officials involved and that comprehensive reforms are underway to uphold the integrity of India’s examination systems.

The recent series of events highlight broader issues within the Indian educational system, as voiced by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who critiqued the government’s handling under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Furthermore, the government has enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which introduces severe penalties for exam-related offences, including jail terms up to ten years and fines up to ₹1 crore.

The Indian government’s rapid response and the establishment of a high-profile panel suggest a robust approach to restoring credibility to India’s educational assessment mechanisms. However, the effectiveness of these measures will be contingent upon their swift and transparent implementation, ensuring that such irregularities are preemptively identified and addressed.