NTA restructures role: Translators will now ensure quality of AI work

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has restructured the role of translators, with a focus on reviewing AI-generated translations of examination questions from English to Indian languages. The translators will identify linguistic, technical, scientific or contextual errors, suggest corrections, and certify the final translation. This new role differs from the conventional 'translator' role seen in earlier cycles.

The NTA, which conducts high-stakes competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE Mains, CUET, and UGC-NET in 13 languages, has divided the translation function into two parts. The primary translation will be carried out by an air-gapped AI-based translation platform installed on the NTA's premises, while the verification, certification, and quality-assurance of the AI-produced translations will be undertaken by a panel of empanelled human professionals, known as "translation reviewers."

These reviewers will operate under structured, monitored conditions within NTA's secure facility, seeing only individual items presented in a random order unrelated to the final paper. Additionally, they will not be permitted to view the entire assembled paper. The NTA has implemented extra security measures following the recent NEET UG paper leak, which sparked outrage, protests, and a CBI investigation.

During the investigation, it was discovered that one of the arrested subject experts, Manisha Mandhare, had been involved in both setting and translating the question paper.