NTA under Scrutiny and calls for reform
Why NTA is under scrutiny?
- Out of 14 major exams conducted by NTA in 2024, at least five had serious issues, including postponements of UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, NEET-PG, paper leaks in NEET-UG, and delayed CUET results, disrupting academic calendars and admissions.​
- In JEE Main 2025, at least 12 questions were withdrawn after errors were identified in the final answer key, further denting confidence in NTA’s technical competence.​
- These incidents have led the committee to state that NTA’s performance in the last year “has not inspired much confidence” and has undermined students’ trust in the examination process.​
Key concerns flagged by the House panel
- The panel highlighted chronic delays in declaration of CUET results, which it said caused avoidable stress for students and disturbed university admission schedules.​
- It noted that despite generating a surplus of around ₹448 crore over six years, NTA has not built adequate in‑house capacity and remains heavily dependent on external vendors for core exam functions.​
- Lawmakers also pointed to recurring allegations of paper leaks, data security lapses, and weak accountability mechanisms, warning that the integrity of high‑stakes exams is at risk.​
Major reform recommendations
- The committee has urged a shift back towards pen‑and‑paper exams as the primary mode, citing leak‑resistant models followed by CBSE and UPSC; computer‑based tests, if used, should be limited to government or government‑controlled centres, not private facilities.​
- It recommended that NTA use its accumulated surplus to upgrade test security, infrastructure, and internal systems rather than outsourcing critical tasks to private agencies.​
- The panel has also called for clear accountability structures, stronger surveillance and data protection measures, and time‑bound release of results to ensure reliability and transparency.​
Broader reform process around NTA
- Separately, a government‑appointed expert committee led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan, constituted in the wake of the NEET‑UG 2024 controversy, has suggested reforms to make NTA’s operations more secure and error‑free, including improvements in exam security, data protection, and staff training.​
- The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it has accepted almost all recommendations of this expert panel, except an immediate switch to fully online NEET, which has been deferred due to infrastructure constraints.​
- Earlier, there have also been proposals to restructure NTA into multiple specialised verticals (technology, test security, operations, etc.) and to staff it with domain experts and a stronger leadership team to professionalise the agency.​
About National Testing Agency (NTA)
- The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous testing organization under India’s Ministry of Education, established in November 2017 to conduct entrance exams for higher education admissions and fellowships.
- Registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, it aims to deliver efficient, transparent, and research-based assessments matching international standards.
Exams Conducted by NTA
- Top Undergraduate Entrance Exams - JEE Main, NEET-UG, CUET-UG (Over 50 lakh candidates appear for these three exams annually)
- Other Major Exams - CUET-PG, UGC-NET, CSIR UGC-NET, CMAT, Hotel Management JEE, GPATEntrance exams for DU, JNU, IIFT, ICAR, and others.
Key issues vs proposed reforms
| Dimension |
Problems flagged |
Proposed reforms / responses |
| Exam integrity |
Paper leaks, answer‑key errors, arbitrary disruptions in multiple exams.​ |
Stronger test security, secure question banks, better surveillance and data systems.​ |
| Timeliness of results |
Delayed CUET and other exam results affecting admissions.​ |
Time‑bound result schedules and process improvements to avoid delays.​ |
| Mode of exams |
CBT centres, including private vendors, linked to irregularities.​ |
Greater reliance on pen‑and‑paper; CBT only in govt‑controlled centres.​ |
| Institutional capacity |
Heavy vendor dependence despite ₹448 crore surplus; thin internal staff.​ |
Use surplus to build in‑house capacity, create specialised verticals, hire experts.​ |
| Public trust |
Perception that NTA lacks transparency and accountability.​ |
Clear accountability frameworks, transparent processes, and strict enforcement.​ |
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