Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday chaired his first meeting with senior officials of the Education Ministry on issues concerning the National Testing Agency (NTA), days after he was given additional charge of the education portfolio. The meeting focused on strengthening institutional mechanisms, streamlining examination processes and improving support and responsiveness for students amid continuing concerns over the agency's functioning. Joshi said the meeting was held with the Education Ministry's secretary and senior officials and involved discussions on matters requiring immediate attention at the NTA.

"Deliberated on key matters requiring attention and the steps ahead to further strengthen institutional mechanisms, streamline processes and ensure greater responsiveness to students," Joshi said in a post on X. He did not provide details of specific decisions taken during the meeting. The NTA has faced criticism in recent months over the conduct and management of several major examinations. Among the issues raised are allegations concerning a paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 examination in May. The controversy has renewed scrutiny of the agency's systems for conducting high-stakes entrance examinations and protecting the integrity of question papers.

The testing agency is also facing complaints from candidates over delays in releasing provisional answer keys for the UGC-NET June 2026 session. Students have raised concerns about the time taken to publish the answer keys, which are an important part of the examination process because they allow candidates to check their responses and raise objections within the prescribed period. Joshi was recently given additional charge of the Education Ministry after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the portfolio amid protests and controversy surrounding the NEET examination. The change in ministerial responsibility comes at a time when the ministry and NTA are facing pressure to address concerns over examination transparency, administrative efficiency and student grievances.

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The meeting with NTA-related officials is therefore significant as the government seeks to strengthen the systems governing national-level examinations. The NTA conducts several major entrance and eligibility tests, making the reliability of its processes important for millions of students who depend on these examinations for admission to educational institutions and other academic opportunities. Joshi's emphasis on stronger institutional mechanisms and streamlined processes indicates that improving the agency's functioning will be a priority under his stewardship of the Education Ministry.

The minister also stressed the need for greater responsiveness to students, an issue that has become increasingly important as candidates have raised concerns about examination schedules, answer keys, results and other administrative matters. The government is expected to examine the concerns surrounding the NTA and consider measures to improve examination management and student support. While Joshi did not announce specific reforms following Sunday's meeting, the discussions mark his first reported engagement with senior officials on the agency since taking additional charge of the education portfolio. Further decisions could emerge as the ministry reviews the functioning of the NTA and the concerns raised by students and other stakeholders.

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