Key Highlights

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted a six-member high-powered task force to reform India's examination system.
• Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani will chair the panel, which has been tasked with recommending technology-driven reforms.
• The task force includes former ISRO Chairman S. Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former CBSE Chairperson Anita Karwal and senior IAS officer Amrit Lal Meena.
• The panel will recommend measures to strengthen examination security, improve transparency and modernise the National Testing Agency (NTA).
• The initiative is part of the Centre's broader efforts to prevent paper leaks and restore confidence in competitive examinations.

Centre Unveils High-Powered Panel to Overhaul India's Examination System

In a major step towards reforming India's examination ecosystem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of a six-member Exam Reform Task Force to recommend structural and technology-driven changes aimed at preventing paper leaks and improving the credibility of competitive examinations.

The multidisciplinary panel will be chaired by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani and comprises experts from technology, space, intelligence, education, academia and public administration.

The government said the task force will focus on modernising examination processes, strengthening security mechanisms and recommending reforms for institutions such as the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Who Are the Six Members of the Exam Reform Task Force?

1. Nandan Nilekani (Chairman)

Technology entrepreneur and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has been appointed as the chairman of the task force.

Widely recognised as the architect of Aadhaar, India's digital identity programme, Nilekani is expected to lead efforts to integrate advanced digital technologies into the examination system.

Key Expertise

• Digital governance
• Aadhaar ecosystem
• Technology architecture
• Large-scale public digital infrastructure
• Digital identity and authentication

The government expects him to recommend secure digital solutions for:

• Question paper protection
• Candidate authentication
• Examination monitoring
• Result processing

2. Dr. S. Somnath

Former ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somnath joins the panel with decades of experience in managing complex scientific and technological systems.

Having led India's space programme between 2022 and 2025, he is known for his work in launch vehicle technology and systems engineering.

Key Expertise

• Aerospace engineering
• Large-scale technology projects
• Systems engineering
• Mission-critical infrastructure
• Scientific project management

His experience is expected to contribute to designing robust and reliable examination infrastructure.

3. Tapan Kumar Deka

Former Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) Tapan Kumar Deka will provide expertise on examination security and threat assessment.

A veteran IPS officer, Deka has extensive experience in intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism and internal security operations.

Key Expertise

• Security planning
• Intelligence operations
• Risk assessment
• Organised crime investigations
• Cyber and internal security

His role is expected to focus on preventing organised examination fraud and strengthening security protocols.

4. Prof. V. Kamakoti

IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti represents academia and advanced technological research on the task force.

A computer scientist specialising in cybersecurity, computer architecture and artificial intelligence, he has contributed to several national technology initiatives.

Key Expertise

• Cybersecurity
• Artificial intelligence
• Computer architecture
• Information security
• Indigenous processor development

His technical background is expected to help build secure, technology-enabled examination systems.

5. Anita Karwal

Former CBSE Chairperson and former Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Anita Karwal brings extensive experience in education policy and school administration.

She played a significant role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and developing the National Curriculum Framework.

Key Expertise

• School education
• Education policy
• Examination administration
• Curriculum reforms
• Educational governance

Her experience is expected to help align examination reforms with broader education policy objectives.

6. Amrit Lal Meena

Senior IAS officer Amrit Lal Meena completes the six-member panel.

A former Chief Secretary of Bihar and former Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Meena has decades of experience in governance, administration and operational management.

Key Expertise

• Public administration
• Governance
• Logistics
• Policy implementation
• Institutional management

His role is expected to focus on improving operational efficiency and administrative coordination within the examination system.

What Will the Task Force Do?

According to the government, the task force will recommend reforms aimed at making India's examination system:

• More secure.
• More transparent.
• Technology-driven.
• Resistant to paper leaks.
• Operationally efficient.

The panel will examine every stage of the examination process, including:

• Question paper generation.
• Storage and transportation.
• Candidate verification.
• Digital monitoring.
• Result processing.
• Institutional accountability.

It will also recommend measures to strengthen the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Focus on Technology and Structural Reforms

The Centre has indicated that the panel's recommendations will combine technological innovation with institutional reforms.

Areas expected to receive particular attention include:

• Secure digital examination systems.
• AI-enabled monitoring.
• Enhanced cybersecurity.
• Stronger identity verification.
• Better logistics for confidential examination materials.
• Institutional accountability and governance.

The recommendations are expected to shape the next phase of examination reforms in India.

Why the Task Force Matters

The formation of the task force comes amid growing public concern over repeated examination paper leak incidents affecting recruitment and entrance examinations across the country.

By bringing together experts from diverse fields—including technology, intelligence, education, administration and scientific research—the government aims to develop a comprehensive roadmap for restoring public confidence in India's examination system.

The panel's recommendations are expected to complement the Centre's proposed legal reforms introducing stricter penalties, faster investigations and expedited trials for examination-related fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is heading the Exam Reform Task Force?

The task force is chaired by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.

Why has the government formed this task force?

The panel has been created to recommend reforms that strengthen examination security, prevent paper leaks and modernise India's examination system through technology.

Who are the six members?

The members are:

• Nandan Nilekani (Chairman)
• Dr. S. Somnath
• Tapan Kumar Deka
• Prof. V. Kamakoti
• Anita Karwal
• Amrit Lal Meena

What institutions will the panel focus on?

The task force will recommend reforms for India's public examination system, including improvements to the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Will the panel recommend technology reforms?

Yes. Technology integration, cybersecurity, digital verification and AI-based solutions are among its key areas of focus.

Why is the panel significant?

It brings together experts from technology, intelligence, education, science and administration to address examination security through a multidisciplinary approach.