UGC Chairman Commends Formation of High-Level Committee to Reform NTA Following NEET UG 2024 Paper Leak

This committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman of ISRO and Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Kanpur, will focus on recommending reforms in the examination process, enhancing data security protocols, and improving the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

In a significant move towards ensuring transparency, smoothness, and fairness in the conduct of national entrance examinations, the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, has constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts. This committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman of ISRO and Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Kanpur, will focus on recommending reforms in the examination process, enhancing data security protocols, and improving the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Commenting on this development, UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar stated, "Forming a High-Level Committee of Experts with Dr. K. Radhakrishnan as Chairman is a welcome step towards assuring entrance examinations' transparent, smooth, and fair conduct. The Committee's emphasis on recommending reforms in the examination process, enhancing data security protocols, and improving the NTA's structure and functioning will strengthen our national entrance examination system. Protecting students' interests and their future is our priority."

The committee includes distinguished members such as Dr. Randeep Guleria, Former Director of AIIMS Delhi; Prof. B J Rao, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad; Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus at IIT Madras; Shri Pankaj Bansal, Co-Founder of People Strong and Board Member of Karmayogi Bharat; Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean of Student Affairs at IIT Delhi; and Shri Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Education.

The committee's terms of reference include:

1. Reform in the Mechanism of Examination Process:
• Analyzing the end-to-end examination process and suggesting measures to improve system efficiency and prevent possible breaches.
• Conducting a thorough review of the NTA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols, and recommending enhancements and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance.
2. Improvement in Data Security Protocols:
• Evaluating current data security processes of the NTA and recommending improvements.
• Reviewing existing security protocols related to paper-setting and other examination processes, and making recommendations to enhance system robustness.
3. Structure and Functioning of the NTA:
• Recommending organizational structure and functional improvements for the NTA, ensuring clear role definitions and responsibilities.
• Assessing the current grievance redressal mechanism of the NTA and making recommendations for enhancing its efficiency.

The committee is expected to submit its detailed report to the Ministry within two months. This initiative highlights the Ministry's commitment to upholding fairness, transparency, and data security in national-level examinations, reinforcing public trust following the NEET UG paper leak incident.