The Congress on Monday criticised the Centre’s decision to set up a high-powered task force on examination reforms, alleging that the move was aimed at diverting attention from existing concerns over the country’s examination system rather than addressing the root causes of irregularities. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh targeted the government over the formation of the new panel, claiming that the recommendations of the K Radhakrishnan Committee, which was set up in 2024 to suggest reforms for the National Testing Agency (NTA) and examination processes, were yet to be fully implemented.

Ramesh alleged that the government was creating another committee instead of acting on earlier recommendations. He shared two video clips on social media platform X — one featuring former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announcing in 2024 that a high-level committee would be formed to ensure transparent, smooth and fair examinations, and another showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing the formation of a new high-powered task force on Sunday.

While sharing the videos, Ramesh criticised both announcements, describing the earlier committee as "high-level hawabaazi" and the latest task force as "high-powered jumlebaazi". He accused the government of attempting to shift public attention away from unresolved issues related to examination management. "'Committee banao, dhyaan bhatkao' (Form a committee and divert attention)," Ramesh said in his post in Hindi on X, questioning the Centre’s approach towards examination reforms.

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The Congress leader’s remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a task force aimed at bringing reforms to the examination system and strengthening the functioning of the National Testing Agency. The panel, headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, includes experts from technology, security, logistics and administration sectors. The government has said the task force will focus on improving transparency, security and accuracy in examinations while making systems more resistant to malpractice, including paper leaks.

The move comes amid nationwide concerns over alleged irregularities in major competitive examinations. The issue of examination integrity has become a major political flashpoint, with opposition parties criticising the Centre over alleged failures in preventing paper leaks and ensuring fair opportunities for students. The government, however, has maintained that it is taking corrective measures to strengthen the examination framework.

The proposed reforms are expected to examine several aspects of the examination process, including technology infrastructure, data security, candidate verification and operational procedures. Supporters of the initiative have said a comprehensive review is necessary to restore confidence among students and parents. The political debate is likely to continue as the government moves ahead with implementing recommendations from the new task force. While the Centre has emphasised the need for stronger safeguards, the opposition has demanded greater accountability and faster implementation of previously suggested reforms.

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