NTA revamp: 600 exam experts removed, new security measures planned after test leaks
NEW DELHI: In a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA), officials have confirmed that 600 experts from its examination team have been removed and replaced with new personnel. The move comes a day after the Union Education Ministry sought a detailed report from the agency on systemic reforms.
The decision was taken during a meeting on August 17, where Union Education Minister Prahlad Joshi directed that all necessary security and infrastructural facilities be put in place for smooth and secure conduct of examinations. A senior NTA official stated, “We are revamping the examination team by removing 600 experts and onboarding new experts. A four-tier question paper checking system will be put in place to strengthen scrutiny.”
According to officials, 20 to 25 new appointees will join over the next two to three weeks. NTA offices will also be shifted to new premises, where security will be reinforced with assistance from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). These measures are part of a broader effort to address concerns raised after recent examination irregularities.
Recent lapses and response
The revamp follows the NTA's announcement earlier this week that it would conduct re-examinations for the UGC-NET subjects of Sociology, Commerce, and English, after complaints of errors in question papers. This was the second major lapse for the agency this year, following a paper leak that forced the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam in May.
The Education Ministry has directed the NTA to conduct a thorough audit of all examination processes and submit a corrective action report. Mr. Joshi has also insisted on strict compliance with established protocols.
Security architecture overhaul
Sources indicate that a complete overhaul of the Confidential Operations (CONOPS) architecture is underway. This includes setting up secluded rooms, air-gapped systems, and device-deposit protocols for personnel handling sensitive information related to question-paper setting. Air-gapped systems are computers or networks physically and wirelessly isolated from unsecured networks, lacking wi-fi, bluetooth, or wired connections, making remote cyberattacks nearly impossible.
In addition, more than fifty staff members have already been removed from the NTA. Ten new professional leadership positions have been advertised, including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, and General Managers for Test Security, Research and Development, and Psychometrics. Domain specialists from the private sector are being brought in for cyber security, psychometrics, and question-paper design.
Past findings
The Central Bureau of Investigation, in its chargesheet on the NEET-UG paper leak, had pointed out that experts setting papers for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics had full access to question papers, which they leaked. These experts were not subjected to physical checks or frisking when entering or exiting restricted zones, and the NTA facility lacked a dedicated live CCTV monitoring control room.
NTA officials have acknowledged these issues and said corrective steps are being implemented. The agency's efforts are aimed at restoring trust among students and ensuring transparency in the examination process.
