Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Former UGC Chief Urges Strengthening NTA, Rejects Replacement
Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar says the National Testing Agency should be improved instead of replaced.
He says exam security must cover the entire process, not only stopping question-paper leaks.
This includes writing, translating, storing, printing, transporting and checking exam materials.
Records should show who accessed or changed confidential information.
Kumar also wants NTA to employ permanent specialists in technology, testing, languages and logistics.
He says examination centres should have cameras, identity checks, reliable electricity and trained workers.
Under his suggested partnership model, institutions would manage subjects and questions.
NTA would focus on safely conducting exams and publishing results.
He believes one strong national testing body could provide more consistent safeguards than several separate agencies.
Former UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar said NTA needs deep structural strengthening, not replacement.
He proposed securing every examination stage through traceability, access controls, encryption and independent checks.
Kumar urged NTA to build permanent expertise in testing, cybersecurity, languages, logistics and vendor management.
He called for accredited centres with CCTV, biometric verification, reliable power, connectivity and trained staff.
He supported a partnership model in which institutions handle academic content while NTA manages secure delivery and results.
- Who
- Former University Grants Commission chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar proposed reforms for the National Testing Agency.
- What
- He called for end-to-end examination security, permanent professional expertise, dependable examination centres and clearer institutional responsibilities.
- When
- Kumar made the comments in a PTI interview reported on Aug. 22; the year is not specified in the articles.
- Where
- The proposals concern NTA examinations conducted nationally across hundreds of cities.
- Why
- The reforms aim to address recurring examination-security concerns, strengthen NTA’s systems and protect students’ trust.
- Agency discussed
- National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Main recommendation
- Strengthen NTA structurally rather than replace the agency.
- Immediate priorities
- Secure the examination lifecycle, build permanent professional capacity, and improve centres and candidate services.
- Security measures
- Digital traceability, strict access control, limited handling of confidential material, encryption and independent security testing.
- Centre standards
- CCTV monitoring, biometric verification, reliable power and connectivity, accessibility facilities and trained staff.
- Expert-panel update
- About 600 experts were reportedly refreshed, alongside four-tier question-paper scrutiny and specialist recruitment.
- Government progress report
- The government reported in July that 35 of the Radhakrishnan Committee’s 46 major action points had been implemented.
