Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Congress Says Panel Report Exposes NTA Failings, Urges Reforms
A parliamentary committee studied how India’s National Testing Agency runs important exams.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the report points to serious problems at the agency and the Education Ministry.
He challenged the ministry’s reported statement that no NTA exam paper leaked between 2017 and 2025, and said there were nine known leaks or irregularities.
Ramesh also criticized the agency’s staffing, leadership, and use of private contractors.
The committee said Parliament should have a formal way to hold the NTA accountable.
It recommended changes such as computer-based medical entrance exams and government-run exam centres in every district.
It also called for safeguards to protect exam questions.
The committee said the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 showed that further improvement was needed.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the parliamentary committee report detailed serious shortcomings at the NTA and Education Ministry.
Ramesh disputed the ministry’s reported claim that no NTA exam paper leaked from 2017 through 2025, citing nine known leaks or irregularities.
He said the NTA had 23 officers in 39 sanctioned posts and relied on short-term deputations and private contractors.
The committee called for a parliamentary framework to ensure the NTA is accountable to Parliament.
The report recommended measures including computer-based medical entrance exams, government-owned exam centres in every district, and safeguards for question-setters.
- Who
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, chaired by Mukul Wasnik, and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
- What
- The committee reported on NTA reforms and called for parliamentary accountability; Congress criticized the agency and the Education Ministry.
- When
- The report was presented on October 9 and discussed by Congress on October 11; NEET-UG 2026 was held on May 3 and cancelled on May 12.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The committee examined the NTA following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 amid paper-leak allegations and concerns about trust in its exams.
Congress’s criticism
Ministry and committee positions reported
Whether NTA exams had paper leaks
Congress’s criticism
Ramesh called the ministry’s reported claim that no NTA exam paper leaked from 2017 through 2025 false and cited nine known leaks or irregularities.
Ministry and committee positions reported
The ministry reportedly told the committee that no paper leak had occurred in an NTA exam between the agency’s formation in 2017 and 2025.
NTA accountability and capacity
Congress’s criticism
Ramesh argued that the NTA’s non-statutory status, limited staffing, reliance on contractors, and lack of stable full-time leadership weaken accountability and institutional expertise.
Ministry and committee positions reported
The committee called for a parliamentary framework to ensure accountability and recognized past improvement efforts, while saying the NEET-UG 2026 cancellation showed that further improvement was needed.
Use of the NTA’s surplus
Congress’s criticism
Ramesh said the reported Rs 590 crore surplus was invested in fixed deposits instead of being used to help students or improve exam infrastructure.
Ministry and committee positions reported
The committee recommended using the NTA’s financial surplus to establish government-owned examination centres in every district.
- Report
- “Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA),” the committee’s 382nd report.
- Committee chair
- Mukul Wasnik, a Congress Rajya Sabha member.
- NTA staffing
- Ramesh said 23 of 39 sanctioned positions were filled, a vacancy rate of 41%.
- Alleged exam irregularities
- Ramesh cited nine known paper leaks or irregularities in NTA-conducted exams.
- Reported surplus
- Ramesh said the NTA earned a revenue surplus of Rs 590 crore and invested it in fixed deposits.
- Accountability recommendation
- The committee called for a parliamentary framework to ensure the NTA is accountable to Parliament.
- NEET-UG 2026
- Held on May 3 and cancelled on May 12 amid paper-leak allegations.
Sources
Parliamentary panel indicts NTA; hope ‘arrogant’ Modi govt takes it seriously: Congress
Congress says parliamentary panel's report exposes ‘grave incompetence, malpractice’ in NTA, Education Ministry