NTA Removes 600 Experts, Introduces Four-Tier Paper Checking System

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has begun a major overhaul of its examination system, with 600 experts removed and new professionals being brought on board following directions from Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi. The agency will introduce a four-tier system for checking question papers as part of efforts to strengthen scrutiny and reduce the possibility of errors. The changes were discussed during a review meeting where officials assessed measures to improve the security and reliability of examinations.

NTA Director General briefed Joshi on the reforms being implemented by the agency and its plans for further recruitment. The meeting was informed that 20 to 25 officials would be inducted into the NTA over the next two to three weeks. The agency is also in the process of recruiting professionals for 10 leadership positions, including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, General Manager for Test Security and General Manager for Research and Development and Psychometrics.

The NTA is also bringing domain specialists from the private sector into specialised areas such as cybersecurity, psychometrics and question-paper design. Officials said these measures are intended to strengthen the agency's technical and examination-related capabilities. The NTA's offices will be shifted to new premises on a priority basis, while security arrangements are also being strengthened through the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force teams.

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Joshi has directed the NTA to ensure strict compliance with established examination protocols and undertake a complete overhaul of its Confidential Operations, or CONOPS, architecture. The proposed changes include secluded rooms, air-gapped systems and device-deposit protocols to strengthen the security of confidential examination operations. The minister has also asked the agency to ensure that all necessary infrastructure and security arrangements are in place before examinations are conducted.

The latest measures follow a broader government review of the NTA after concerns over examination processes and recent operational issues. More than 50 staff members had already been removed from the agency, according to officials, while the latest restructuring has taken the number of removed experts to 600. The agency is also reviewing its recruitment and induction plans as it works to strengthen its internal systems and bring in professionals with specialised expertise.

The NTA has further been directed to conduct a comprehensive audit of all examination processes and submit a report detailing the corrective measures taken. The four-tier question-paper checking mechanism, expanded professional workforce, stronger cybersecurity arrangements and revised confidential operations architecture are expected to form key parts of the reform process. The measures are aimed at improving examination security, strengthening quality control and reducing the risk of errors and procedural lapses in future tests.

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