NTA overhaul: Over 5,000 experts empanelled for setting, vetting, translating question papers

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has enlisted over 5,000 academic experts for its panel, which will oversee question paper creation, translation, vetting, moderation, and other confidential tasks. Following the NEET-UG paper leak last year, the agency sacked 600 subject matter experts and relocated its headquarters. NTA is constructing a large question bank to preclude leaks and ensure exam uniformity.

Experts are being added to the panel continuously, with no deadline set. The multi-layered verification process includes four stages: document verification, subject matter committee review, background checks, and signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement. The NTA is also developing an "exam-agnostic" approach to prevent dependence on a single vendor or platform.

This overhaul aims to maintain exam security and integrity by precluding question paper leaks and memorization by setters or translators.