High-powered task force on examination reforms
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a six-member high-powered task force on examination reforms to revamp India's public testing system.
Six Committee Members
- Nandan Nilekani (Chairman): Infosys co-founder and former UIDAI Chief chosen to spearhead tech-driven structural solutions.
- S. Somanath: Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman.
- Tapan Deka: Former Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
- V. Kamakoti: Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
- Anita Karwal: Former Union Education Secretary.
- Amrit Lal Meena: Prominent national logistics expert.
Main Objectives & Terms of Reference
- Leveraging Digital Technology: Implementing foolproof, cutting-edge digital public infrastructure to conduct highly secure competitive examinations.
- Revamping NTA Operations: Reviewing and overhauling the inner workflows, data security protocols, and operational frameworks of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Preventing Paper Leaks: Crafting an airtight, advanced cyber-security framework to permanently mitigate malpractices and leaks.
- Evaluating Formative Systems: Studying how the current lack of continuous internal assessments in institutions fuels an over-reliance on private coaching center modules.
- Addressing Seat Imbalances: Analysing rising competition metrics versus the actual availability of limited seats in premier institutions.
- Regulating Coaching Advertisements: Recommending corrective oversight rules to curb misleading success claims advertised by commercial institutes.
Parallel Government Measures
- New Anti-Leak Legislation: Moving a stringent bill in Parliament proposing heavy fines up to ₹10 crore and a 10-year prison sentence for perpetrators of malpractice.
- Criminal Investigations: Entrusting ongoing paper leak cases to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to fix judicial accountability.
