The NTA exam reforms process has entered another phase with the Nandan Nilekani-led high-powered task force consulting former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, who previously headed a government panel on examination security. The consultation comes amid renewed scrutiny of the National Testing Agency following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
Nilekani panel reviews earlier recommendations
The task force was constituted in July 2026 to recommend comprehensive reforms for examinations conducted by the NTA. It is consulting students, parents, teachers, academic institutions, subject experts, industry organisations and examination-conducting bodies while reviewing the agency’s examination processes.
Technology, cybersecurity, data protection and the functioning of the NTA are among the areas being examined. The panel is also considering how emerging technologies could strengthen examination systems and reduce vulnerabilities.
Radhakrishnan panel had proposed 101 measures
K Radhakrishnan headed the committee established in June 2024 after the earlier NEET-UG paper leak controversy. Its report, submitted in October 2024, contained 101 recommendations covering examination reforms, data security and the structure and functioning of the NTA.
The recommendations included stronger safeguards for question-paper management, candidate registration, computer-based testing, OMR processing, normalisation and result systems. The committee also proposed restructuring the NTA and restricting its role primarily to higher-education entrance examinations.
The Supreme Court has separately stressed the need to institutionalise NTA reforms and asked the Centre to provide details on steps taken to implement recommendations from both the Radhakrishnan committee and the newer Nilekani task force.
Interim report expected soon
The Nilekani-led panel has completed extensive consultations and, according to information provided to the Supreme Court, is expected to submit its first interim report by the end of September.
The latest exercise therefore involves both reviewing earlier recommendations and examining additional measures for a more secure, transparent and technology-enabled examination system. The final recommendations of the task force are yet to be submitted.
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