The National Testing Agency (NTA) has undertaken a major overhaul of its examination team following errors reported in the UGC-NET question papers for English, Commerce and Sociology. The agency has removed around 600 subject experts and initiated the onboarding of new specialists as part of efforts to strengthen its examination processes.
The move comes days after the NTA cancelled the UGC-NET examinations in the three subjects and announced that they would be conducted again on September 9 and 10.
During a meeting with Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Tuesday, NTA officials outlined several measures aimed at improving the quality and security of examinations.
The agency said a four-tier system for checking question papers will be introduced to strengthen scrutiny and minimise errors. It also plans to induct 25 officials over the next two to three weeks, while additional recruitment will be undertaken as part of the broader restructuring.
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The developments follow the Ministry of Education’s directive to conduct a comprehensive audit of NTA’s examination-related processes.
The NTA has also informed the ministry that it will relocate its offices from its existing premises at Okhla Industrial Estate. The relocation is being expedited, with enhanced security arrangements planned at the new facility.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel will be deployed as part of the strengthened security framework.
The UGC-NET examination was held in June, following which candidates raised concerns over errors in some question papers. The NTA subsequently acknowledged the issues and cancelled the examinations for English, Commerce and Sociology.
The affected examinations will now be conducted afresh on September 9 and 10.
Following the cancellation, Pralhad Joshi met senior ministry and NTA officials on Monday and directed the agency to implement corrective measures and submit a detailed report on the steps being taken.
The latest restructuring comes amid heightened scrutiny of the NTA over alleged irregularities and security lapses in major entrance examinations.
As part of its wider reform efforts, the agency has already removed more than 50 staff members and invited applications for 10 senior professional positions. These include Chief Technology Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, General Manager (Test Security), and General Manager (Research and Development and Psychometrics).
The NTA has also brought in specialists from the private sector in areas including cybersecurity, psychometrics and question-paper development. It has further initiated measures to strengthen security operations, including plans for round-the-clock security services.
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The government has also constituted a high-powered task force on examination reforms under Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend measures aimed at improving the country’s examination system.
With the latest changes, the NTA is seeking to strengthen question-paper quality, examination security and internal accountability while restoring confidence among students and other stakeholders.
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