In an important development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced today in the Winter Parliament Session that from 2025 the National Testing Agency (NTA) will no longer conduct recruitment exams. Instead, it will focus only on entrance exams for higher education institutions. He further said that the government plans to introduce a computer-friendly test, a technology-driven approach, for future entrance exams.
Additionally, the minister revealed that the NTA will be restructured in 2025 by adding 10 new posts. He also mentioned the ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Health on conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET UG) for undergraduate programs in pen-paper mode or online mode.
Now the key question is: What prompted the Ministry of Education to announce such drastic changes?
Before going into those issues, let’s first check the major entrance exams conducted by NTA for both recruitment and higher education institutions.
NTA Exams: Major Entrance and Recruitment Exams
The National Examinations Agency is responsible for conducting several national-level entrance examinations as well as recruitment examinations for higher education institutions. Here are the major exams conducted by the agency. NTA also conducts many other exams apart from these.
Plagued by leaks and errors: A deep dive into major NTA controversies
The changes announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stem from several controversies that have plagued the National Testing Agency (NTA) in recent years. Issues such as paper leakage, impersonation, technical glitches and lapses in exam security have eroded confidence in the system. The NEET UG and UGC NET controversies of 2024, in particular, highlighted systemic failures and the need for reform. In the past, there have been several instances where the NTA has found itself in troubled waters. Accusations of impersonation, mismanagement of biometric data, and untrained inspectors further accentuate systemic flaws. Dr. K. A panel appointed by the government headed by Radhakrishnan had recommended restructuring of NTA to strengthen examination security, accountability and operational efficiency. These reforms aim to restore credibility, ensure fairness and introduce a technology-driven approach to entrance exams in India. From JEE Main paper leaks and technical glitches in CUET-UG to several NEET UG controversies, here are 5 major NTA controversies that have happened in the recent past.
NEET UG 2024: Question Paper Leak and Grace Marks Controversy
The NEET-UG 2024 exam, held on May 5 for more than 24 lakh students, sparked controversy after allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities. After the results on June 4, concerns arose over the grace marks awarded to 1,563 students and the unusually high number of toppers. Nationwide protests ensued, and the Supreme Court was approached demanding a retrial and reassessment.
On June 13, the Supreme Court, stressing fairness, ordered the re-examination of the students who got grace marks. Despite initial denials, the education minister later admitted there had been a lapse in security protocol. The probe into the alleged paper leak in Hazaribagh and Patna was directed to the state police, with the court asking for detailed reports.
On July 24, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions for a nationwide retrial, citing lack of systemic issues and potential disruption to academic schedules. While it acknowledged isolated incidents of abuse, it stressed the need for a thorough investigation without affecting millions of students.
UGC NET June 2024 Exam Canceled
Amid the NEET controversy, the UGC NET June 2024 exam, held on June 18, was canceled due to widespread irregularities. The cases included hologram stickers for identity verification that were attached post-examination in Prayagraj and in Danapur in Bihar where candidates were caught after losing biometric data. Additionally, candidates were allowed to take home admit cards against NTA guidelines, raising concerns of authentication errors. Poor infrastructure worsened matters, with heat wave conditions, insufficient water, and inadequate ventilation reported in many centers.
For the first time since 2018, UGC NET was conducted offline in OMR mode instead of Computer-Based Test (CBT), which leads to errors and delays. These systemic failures have highlighted the urgent need to reform India’s examination system to ensure fairness, credibility and student welfare. Read our report here.
NEET UG: Dress Code and Safety Violations
2023: In 2023, after appearing for the NEET exam, many candidates took to social media to share their experiences. In Maharashtra, complaints continued, with women candidates forced to turn their kurtas inside out and others forced to change their underwear. Parents criticized the lack of a standard operating procedure for invigilators, pointing to the emotional pain students experience during such high-stakes exams. Read our report here.
2022: A 17-year-old girl in Kerala is forced to remove her bra because its metal hook triggered a security alarm. Similar incidents of aggressive frisking were reported, including students being asked to remove hijabs and burqas. The incident has sparked outrage over the insensitivity of security protocols. Read our report here.
CUET UG 2022: Glitch and Chaos
The first edition of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) was marred by logistical failures, including last-minute changes in test centres, widespread cancellations, and technical glitches. On July 15, students could not appear for the exam due to sudden changes, no retest offered. Natural calamities disrupted exams in states like Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh, while errors in admit cards added to the confusion. Technical issues persisted throughout, affecting thousands of students, and the extension of exams delayed admissions, frustrating candidates nationwide. Read our report here.
JEE Main Paper Leak and Impersonation Scandal (2021)
In March 2021, screenshots of the JEE Main question paper surfaced on social media soon after the exam began, raising concerns of a leak. Candidates and coaching centers confirm those questions in the exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) faced criticism for security lapses after it was seen that banned mobile phones were used for leaks during exams. Read our report here.
Later that year, between August 26 and September 2, the NTA identified nine impersonation cases and blacklisted 23 exam centers. The Ministry of Education has placed 49 centers and 419 examinees under surveillance for unauthorized material infringement and copying. Read our report here.
Seven-member panel recommendation for NTA
During the NEET UG controversy, a government-appointed panel was constituted, headed by former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chief Dr K. Radhakrishnan was. The panel has proposed a series of reforms aimed at strengthening exam security. One of the key recommendations was the restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA). In the initial phase of implementation, the committee proposed a five-point restructuring plan for the National Testing Agency (NTA). This includes:
- Establishing a strong and accountable governing body comprising domain experts.
- Strengthen the agency with more employees.
- Creating ten different verticals within the NTA to include research and development, test security, infrastructure for test centers, and international collaborations among other areas.
These proposed reforms have the potential to reshape the landscape of medical entrance exams in India, ensuring greater transparency, security and accessibility for all candidates.
Click here to read our report.