Govt sets up panel for exam reforms following NEET-UG paper leak allegations

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education (MoE) on Saturday announced the formation of a high-level committee of experts to ensure the transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations. The committee, headed by K Radhakrishnan, former chairperson of ISRO and chairperson of the Board of Governors at IIT-Kanpur, will provide recommendations on reforms in the exam process, improvements in data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NTA, an autonomous organisation established by the Centre in Nov 2017, is responsible for standardised testing of entrance and recruitment exams nationwide. The committee is expected to submit its report to the ministry within two months.

As first reported by TOI on June 18, 2024, the formation of this committee follows irregularities and alleged paper leaks in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG). The committee's terms of reference include reviewing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols of the NTA, conducting an end-to-end analysis of the exam process, and suggesting measures to improve system efficiency and prevent breaches. It will also evaluate and enhance the existing data security processes and protocols of the NTA, particularly those related to paper-setting and other examination processes.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised the govt's commitment to "transparent, tamper-free, and zero-error examinations," stating: "This is the first of a series of steps to improve the efficiency of the exam process, eliminate all malpractices, strengthen data security protocols, and reform the NTA. Student interests will always be the government's top priority."

The committee is also tasked with assessing the structure and functioning of the NTA, including making recommendations on the organizational structure, defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries, and evaluating the current grievance redressal mechanism.

The committee members include Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi; B J Rao, vice-chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad; Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus in the department of civil engineering at IIT-Madras; Pankaj Bansal, co-founder of PeopleStrong and board member of Karmayogi Bharat; and Aditya Mittal, dean of student affairs at IIT-Delhi. Govind Jaiswal, joint secretary, will serve as the member secretary of the committee.