NTA exam reforms: Centre seeks public feedback; appoints 2 directors, joint director

The Centre has launched a public consultation on reforms in the public examination system, inviting suggestions from stakeholders to be considered by the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) for recommending measures to strengthen examination processes. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has opened the consultation via the official website, examreforms-taskforce.dopt.gov.in, with stakeholders able to submit their ideas through a toll-free helpline.

Following a series of examination-related controversies, including the NEET-UG paper leak and errors in UGC-NET question papers, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is undergoing major restructuring. To lead this process, the Centre has appointed Ravi Kumar Singh, an IPS officer, and Prasanna Venkatesh V, an IAS officer, as directors of the NTA, with Amit Samdariya, an IRS officer, as joint director.

The three officers are expected to assume charge within three weeks or risk debarment from the Central Staffing Scheme. The restructuring includes removing 600 experts from examination panels, onboarding new specialists, introducing a four-tier checking system for question papers, and inducting 20 to 25 officials over the next two to three weeks.

In addition to structural changes, the NTA is shifting its offices and enhancing security measures, including the use of air-gapped computer systems.