After NEET-UG controversy, NTA moves to tighten security with ₹7.5 crore tender

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated a ₹7.5 crore tender to bolster round-the-clock security for its critical facilities in light of recent exam paper leak controversies. The Request for Proposal, published on July 25, 2026, covers the agency's headquarters, regional offices, storage and record facilities, and other high-risk zones across New Delhi.

The selected security provider will be responsible for protecting confidential examination materials, server rooms, strong rooms, warehouses, and record rooms, as well as ensuring continuous access control, visitor tracking, asset safeguarding, and personnel protection. The ₹7.5 crore contract will initially last for two years, with a possibility for a further two-year extension contingent on satisfactory performance.

Unlike traditional lowest-bidder procurement, the NTA has opted for a Quality-and-Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) model, which allocates 70% weightage to technical capabilities and 30% to financial bids. Bidders must achieve a minimum of 70 out of 100 marks in the technical evaluation round to proceed to the financial bidding stage.

Prospective security firms must have at least five years of experience in providing professional security services for high-security zones, such as Central government ministries, public sector undertakings, airports, universities, metro rail systems, or major examination bodies. They must also demonstrate an average annual turnover of at least ₹10 crore over the past three financial years, pay an earnest money deposit of ₹15 lakh, and provide a performance security worth 5% of the total contract value.

Bids must be submitted through the GeM (Government e Marketplace) portal by 3 p.m. on August 17, 2026, after which technical bids will be unlocked on the same day. The NTA is also undertaking tenders for printing services, housekeeping, and specialized waste management as part of an extensive administrative overhaul.