NEW DELHI: The Centre is preparing the biggest restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA) since its inception, with sweeping structural and technological reforms expected to be rolled out over the next month in the wake of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
According to government sources, around 47 personnel have already been removed from the agency as part of the ongoing restructuring exercise. Some of the officials identified for removal may also face disciplinary action as the government seeks to strengthen accountability within the examination body.
The National Testing Agency conducts nearly 15 to 20 national-level entrance examinations every year, including NEET-UG, JEE Main and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), making it one of India’s largest examination authorities.
Sources said the proposed reforms are aimed at fundamentally restructuring the agency rather than making isolated personnel changes.
A key focus of the overhaul will be the NTA’s outsourcing model for examination-related work. The government is planning to revise the existing system for outsourcing various examination processes to improve oversight, enhance accountability and minimise vulnerabilities during the conduct of examinations.
The reforms will be based on the recommendations of an expert committee constituted to suggest improvements to India’s examination system.
According to sources, the government intends to introduce a combination of structural and technology-driven reforms to build a leak-proof examination ecosystem while improving transparency, efficiency and accountability across the agency.
The move comes after months of intense scrutiny of the NTA following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which triggered nationwide protests and renewed demands for comprehensive reforms in India’s examination process.
If implemented as proposed, the changes will mark the most significant overhaul of the National Testing Agency since its establishment, with the Centre aiming to restore public confidence and strengthen the integrity and security of high-stakes national entrance examinations.
