New Delhi: The Centre has initiated a sweeping overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA), removing 47 officials as part of a major restructuring aimed at strengthening the integrity of competitive examinations amid nationwide protests over paper leaks.
According to sources, the NTA will undergo a comprehensive revamp over the next month, with disciplinary action likely against some of the removed officials. While details of their roles have not been disclosed, the move is part of a broader effort to improve accountability within the organisation.
A key element of the reform plan involves revising the agency’s outsourcing practices to create a more secure and leak resistant examination system. A committee of experts has been tasked with recommending structural and operational changes to transform the NTA into a more efficient and reliable testing body.
Established in 2017, the NTA conducts more than 20 national level entrance examinations, including NEET, JEE and CUET. The overhaul follows growing public concern over examination irregularities and forms part of the government’s wider strategy to curb organised paper leak networks.
Alongside the institutional reforms, the Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, proposing significantly tougher penalties for organised paper leaks. Under the draft legislation, offenders could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹10 crore.
The NTA has also begun recruiting senior professionals to strengthen its leadership and technical capabilities. Four General Manager positions have been advertised to oversee areas such as assessment research, psychometrics and examination design. In addition, the agency plans to appoint 16 young professionals through the Union Public Service Commission’s Pratibha Setu platform to support academic research, legal affairs, finance and administrative functions.
These measures represent the first phase of the NTA’s institutional rebuilding process, aimed at restoring public confidence in India’s competitive examination system and preventing future instances of examination malpractice.
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