Parliamentary panel slams NTA over repeated exam lapses; recommends return to pen-and-paper tests

The committee pointed at failures in major exams like NEET-UG, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, CUET and JEE.

A parliamentary standing committee has delivered a strong critique of the National Testing Agency (NTA), recommending that major entrance examinations should shift back to pen-and-paper mode because of repeated disruptions in computer-based testing system.

The committee reviewed conduct of national-level exams across last cycle and pointed to a series of failures in important national level exams such as NEET-UG, UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, CUET and JEE. It noted that out of 14 exams conducted in 2024, at least five faced major problems, including cancellations, postponements, answer-key delays and instances of suspected leaks that triggered widespread concern among students.

Panel observed that NTA relied heavily on private vendors for critical exam functions despite generating a surplus of ₹448 crore over six years. It said that this surplus should have strengthened in-house capacity and exam security, but the agency continued to depend on outsourced systems that often failed during high-volume testing.

The report also suggested that if computer-based exams are retained for certain papers, they should be held only in government-run centres with tighter control, standardised infrastructure and stronger monitoring.

According to the committee, the recurring lapses point to the need for a complete overhaul of exam preparedness, vendor management and result-processing systems to restore trust among candidates. A shift to pen-and-paper mode, it said, may offer greater reliability until digital systems are reinforced.