A high-level task force headed by Nandan Nilekani, designed to increase transparency in national examinations and prevent problems like paper leaks, is working fast. The committee has held 18 meetings and more than 40 consultation meetings in about two months. It has received more than 50 thousand suggestions from students, parents, institutes and exam conducting agencies. These include proposals such as restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA), security of exam centers and changes in the process of preparation of question papers. According to a senior official, the committee may submit its final report to the government by the end of October.

Examination reforms were discussed in 58 meetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26 announced the formation of a six-member high-level task force. It aims to make national level examinations more secure and transparent. The committee has held discussions with various ministries, examination agencies, technical experts and other concerned parties. These meetings and suggestions have also been mentioned in the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court.

Proposal for restructuring of NTA

The United Doctors Front (UDF) has suggested major changes in the NTA. This includes a proposal to fill 75 percent of the agency’s technical and security posts with permanent staff within three years and limit the number of outsourced employees to 25 percent of the total workforce. The task force has also suggested passing a law in Parliament to grant the NTA the status of a National Examinations Authority equipped with legislative powers. Under this, it has been suggested to create a separate department for cyber security, digital forensics, psychometrics and vigilance.

Exam procedure may change

The task force is also considering a proposal to hand over various examination functions to different agencies. This will help in separating the responsibilities of preparation of question papers, handling of security arrangements and management of examination centres. Besides, it has been suggested to create a national register of certified examination centres, conduct annual inspection and physical audit 15 days before the examination. Action has also been recommended against the centers that failed the inspection.

Preparation for conducting NEET in CBT mode

The government is working on a plan to conduct NEET in computer-based test (CBT) mode instead of pen-paper from next year. This will require ensuring the security of examination centers and developing modern IT facilities and robust infrastructure. Suggestions such as detecting paper leaks with the help of AI, digitally locking question papers and keeping a large question bank ready have also been received. The committee has reviewed the suggestions made by the general public through the Listen at Scale platform. Based on these suggestions and proposals, a final report is now being prepared.