NTA Under Reform Scanner: Nilekani Panel Consults Former ISRO Chief K Radhakrishnan

India’s examination system is set for another major review as the Nandan Nilekani-led High-Powered Task Force on exam reforms consults experts who have already examined the weaknesses exposed by the 2024 NEET paper leak.

The seven-member task force, constituted by the Centre in July, has consulted former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, who headed the committee formed after the 2024 NEET controversy. The panel is also seeking suggestions from students, parents, teachers, academic institutions, subject experts, industry bodies and examination-conducting agencies.

The move is significant because the Radhakrishnan panel had already proposed a sweeping overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Set up in June 2024, the committee submitted its recommendations in October that year and made 101 recommendations covering examination security, data protection and the functioning of the NTA.

Its proposals included tighter controls over systems handling question papers, candidate registration, fee payments, admit cards, computer-based tests, OMR processing, normalisation and results. It also recommended that the NTA focus strictly on higher education entrance examinations while strengthening its governance and digital infrastructure.

The Centre subsequently formed a High Powered Steering Committee, also headed by Radhakrishnan, to monitor implementation of those recommendations.

However, another NEET paper leak this year triggered fresh controversy and protests, putting the effectiveness of the measures under renewed scrutiny. The Supreme Court has reprimanded the NTA, observing that the agency had “not learnt its lessons”, while also asking the Centre to submit a report on the implementation of the earlier recommendations.

Against this backdrop, the new task force is reviewing the previous recommendations while looking for technology-driven solutions to strengthen the examination system. A senior government official said the objective is to make exams robust, secure, transparent, trustworthy and future-ready.

The task force is chaired by Nandan Nilekani, former UIDAI chairman and Infosys co-founder. Its other members include former ISRO chairman S Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras director V Kamakoti, former education secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

The panel is yet to submit its report, with its recommendations expected to shape the next phase of reforms in India’s high-stakes examination system.