At least 47 individuals associated with the testing body are expected to be removed, while action will also be initiated against some of them, according to sources. However, details regarding their specific roles and designations have not been disclosed.
A major reform under consideration involves restructuring the NTA’s outsourcing procedures to establish a more secure and leak-proof examination framework. The move comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced several measures, including the creation of fast-track courts for cases related to examination paper leaks.
The Centre established the NTA in 2017 as an autonomous and self-sustaining examination body responsible for conducting entrance examinations for admissions and fellowships in higher educational institutions. The agency currently conducts at least 20 national-level examinations, including the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), and Common University Entrance Test (CUET).
A committee of experts will recommend structural and operational changes aimed at transforming the NTA into a more efficient and reliable organisation, sources said.
The NTA restructuring is part of a broader government review of examination processes aimed at preventing paper leaks and ensuring transparency. The review follows large-scale protests led by the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which received support from students and opposition parties across the country.
Earlier, the government approved a draft amendment bill proposing stricter punishments for examination paper leaks, including a penalty of up to Rs 10 crore. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The proposed bill seeks to amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, increasing the maximum jail term for organised paper leaks from five years to 10 years and raising the financial penalty from Rs 1 crore to a maximum of Rs 10 crore.
The existing law aims to prevent examination leaks, unfair practices, and organised malpractice in recruitment examinations such as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC), along with entrance examinations including NEET, Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), and CUET. The proposed amendments are intended to target organised groups and institutions involved in facilitating unfair means in exchange for money while ensuring that genuine candidates are protected from unnecessary legal action.
The CJP-led protest has been demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accountability for examination irregularities, comprehensive reforms in the education system, and Rs 1 crore compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the NEET-UG paper leak in May.
The proposed NTA overhaul, stricter legal provisions, and institutional reforms mark a significant government response to growing concerns over examination integrity, with the focus now shifting towards creating a more secure, transparent, and accountable testing system for millions of students across the country.
About The Author
Comment List