New Delhi : Amid the ongoing protests over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations, the Central Government is preparing for a major restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to strengthen the examination system and restore public confidence.
According to sources, around 47 personnel associated with the agency have been removed, and legal action may also be initiated against some individuals found responsible for irregularities. The government is reportedly working on a complete revamp of the NTA’s structure and functioning, with major changes expected within the next one month.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video message released late Thursday night, assured the nation that the government would introduce a strict law against paper leaks. He said the draft of the proposed legislation has already been prepared and discussed in the Union Cabinet meeting, and it is likely to be presented before Parliament soon.
As part of the proposed reforms, the examination conducting process of NTA will undergo a comprehensive review. Special focus will be given to changing the agency’s existing outsourcing model, which has been under scrutiny. The reforms are expected to be implemented based on the recommendations of an expert committee constituted to examine the functioning of the agency.
The government’s objective is to establish a leak-proof examination mechanism that can prevent incidents of question paper leaks in national-level examinations and ensure a more transparent, secure, and reliable testing system.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts several major national examinations, including NEET, JEE, CUET, and around 15 to 20 other national-level entrance and eligibility examinations. The agency was also responsible for conducting the recently held NEET examination, which faced allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities.
The government’s proposed action is being viewed as a significant step towards addressing concerns raised over examination transparency and rebuilding trust among students and aspirants. However, no detailed official statement has been issued by the government regarding the restructuring plan so far.