The NTA reforms proposed by a parliamentary panel include restricting rallies and public gatherings on important competitive examination days, introducing a limited late-entry mechanism and setting aside a separate 15-minute window for examination formalities.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, headed by Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, made these recommendations in its report titled Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The report was presented to the Rajya Sabha chairman on Friday.
The committee has recommended amending the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to require district administrations to withhold permission for rallies, processions and other public gatherings on days when major competitive examinations are conducted.
Panel Seeks Restrictions on Rallies During Exams
The committee observed that public gatherings on examination days can cause traffic congestion and other disruptions, potentially delaying candidates and preventing them from reaching their examination centres on time.
It recommended that district administrations make advance arrangements for traffic management and law and order to minimise avoidable disruptions.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has previously issued advisories asking candidates to reach examination centres well before reporting deadlines. Students have also been advised to plan their journeys in advance when public events are scheduled on examination days.
The panel's proposal seeks to address the problem through advance administrative measures rather than relying solely on candidates to account for possible delays.
Late-Arriving Candidates May Get Limited Entry
The committee also raised concerns about candidates being denied entry to examination centres after arriving just a few minutes late. It noted that genuine delays could have serious consequences for students who may otherwise lose an entire year of preparation.
To address this issue, the panel recommended a mechanism allowing late-arriving candidates to enter the examination hall after signing an undertaking documenting their late arrival.
Under the proposed arrangement, candidates would be permitted to attempt the examination only for the remaining duration. No additional time would be granted to compensate for their late arrival.
The recommendation aims to provide limited flexibility for candidates facing genuine delays while maintaining the prescribed examination duration.
Separate 15-Minute Window for Exam Formalities
Another recommendation concerns administrative formalities carried out by invigilators during examinations. The committee said activities such as signing and checking documents can disturb candidates' concentration while they are attempting their papers.
To minimise these interruptions, the panel proposed setting aside a separate 15-minute window, either before or after the examination, exclusively for completing such formalities.
According to the report, these activities should not take place during the examination itself.
The recommendations form part of a broader review of the NTA's functioning and examination arrangements. They focus on reducing external disruptions, addressing rigid late-entry rules and ensuring that administrative procedures do not interfere with candidates' concentration.
The proposals are recommendations at this stage; the report does not establish that the suggested changes have already been implemented.
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