NTA refresh: 4-tier paper checks, 600 experts out, CISF security at offices

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a major overhaul of its examination system, which includes a four-tier paper checking process, the removal of 600 experts, and the hiring of new ones. The changes come in response to recent lapses in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET papers, as well as student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak.

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh informed the ministry about the actions taken by the agency, stating that a revamp of the examination team was undertaken. New officials will be inducted in the next two to three weeks, and office premises at NTA will be shifted to new locations with reinforced security provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The announcement followed a meeting chaired by Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, who took over after his predecessor Dharmendra Pradhan resigned due to protests over the NEET-UG paper leak. The ministry emphasized that Joshi directed all necessary security and infrastructural facilities be put in place for smooth examination conduct.

The changes follow student protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and the termination of Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi. The NTA also announced it would re-conduct the UGC-NET June 2026 examinations in English, Commerce, and Sociology subjects after finding many errors in the question papers. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was passed by Parliament, providing for tougher penalties and fast-track courts for paper leak cases.