High-powered task force looking into NTA reforms invites stakeholder suggestions

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A high-powered task force constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recommend reforms in public examinations has invited suggestions from stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers and academic institutions as part of a public consultation exercise.

Stakeholders like examination-conducting and test-indenting bodies, subject matter experts and technology professionals, industry and civil society organisations as well as others can also submit their suggestions.

“As part of this exercise, the task force considers it extremely useful to benefit from the experience, knowledge and perspectives of all stakeholders,” said an official statement by the Ministry of Personnel.

The task force under former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani was constituted after the widely criticised leak of National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) undergraduate 2026 exam paper, which is a gateway for sought after MBBS admissions in medical colleges. Prior to this, the Centre had constituted a committee under former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan, following the leak of NEET-UG 2024 paper with a view to overhaul the public examination system.

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court warned the Centre against “committee hopping”, stating that NTA reforms must build permanent institutional memory rather than changing with every new panel. The top court had also asked the government to explain how the task force led by Mr. Nilekani interacts with, modifies or nuances earlier recommendations made by the Radhakrishnan Committee.

The task force has stated that suggestions may relate to conduct and security of public examinations, examination design and assessment methodology, governance, accountability and institutional arrangements, prevention, detection and redressal of examination malpractices. It has also invited suggestions on use of technology, including secure computer-based testing as well as creation and augmentation of examination infrastructure.

Suggestions are also invited on inclusive examination framework for better access across social, economic, regional and linguistic groups.

The task force has also asked suggestions on how to institute transparency, grievance redressal and stakeholder communication as well as measures to promote student well-being throughout the examination process and any other measure that may add value in the examination system.

The task force has requested that the stakeholders should submit their suggestions by September 13.