The National Testing Agency (NTA) will discontinue conducting recruitment examinations from 2025 and will focus exclusively on higher education entrance tests, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Tuesday. The move follows recommendations by a high-level panel constituted earlier this year in response to controversies such as the NEET paper leak and repeated exam cancellations due to suspected leaks and technical issues.
Speaking about the reforms, Pradhan said, “The NTA will restrict itself to entrance exams for higher education. Recruitment exams will no longer be part of its mandate starting next year.” He also confirmed that the Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG will continue to be held annually.
The Ministry of Education is also exploring a shift to technology-driven and computer-adaptive tests, which are expected to ensure a more secure and efficient testing process. Discussions with the Ministry of Health are ongoing regarding whether the NEET exam will adopt a computer-based format or retain the traditional pen-and-paper approach.
Additionally, Pradhan announced a significant restructuring of the NTA in 2025. “At least ten new posts are being created to improve its functioning. The aim is to make NTA a zero-error testing agency,” he said.
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The reforms come in the wake of major examination challenges, including the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2024 question paper and several exam cancellations. These incidents raised concerns about the integrity of the testing system and prompted demands for a robust overhaul. By narrowing its focus to entrance exams, the NTA seeks to strengthen its operations, restore credibility, and enhance the overall examination experience for candidates.
The National Testing Agency was established in 2017 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education and has been responsible for conducting entrance examinations for higher educational institutions and recruitment tests for various government positions. As the NTA undergoes restructuring, the Ministry of Education emphasises its commitment to creating a transparent, efficient, and error-free examination system that upholds the standards of higher education in India.
