Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Congress Seeks NTA Reforms After Report Flags Staffing and Safeguard Gaps
A parliamentary committee looked at how India’s National Testing Agency runs exams.
Its report said many agency jobs are empty and that it relies heavily on private companies.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the government should follow the committee’s recommendations.
He also said there had been nine reported exam leaks or irregularities between 2017 and 2025.
The report recommends a law making the agency answerable to both Houses of Parliament.
It also calls for stronger exam systems and clearer information about results.
The report said the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 after leak allegations showed why better safeguards are needed.
The article does not include a response from the government or the agency.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged the government to act on recommendations from a parliamentary education committee.
The committee report said 23 of the National Testing Agency’s 39 sanctioned posts were filled, leaving 41% vacant.
Ramesh cited nine reported paper leaks and examination irregularities between 2017 and 2025, disputing a ministry claim that no NTA exam paper had leaked.
He raised concerns about contractor dependence, short-term deputations, exam transparency and the lack of a nationwide blacklist for companies.
The committee recommended legislation to strengthen parliamentary accountability, examination infrastructure and transparency; its report cited the NEET-UG 2026 cancellation after leak allegations as underscoring the need for safeguards.
- Who
- Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, the National Testing Agency, and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education.
- What
- Ramesh urged the government to implement committee recommendations addressing NTA staffing, accountability and examination safeguards.
- When
- Ramesh made the appeal on Sunday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- The committee report highlighted staffing shortages, contractor dependence and inadequate safeguards against examination irregularities.
- NTA staffing
- 23 of 39 sanctioned posts were occupied; 41% were vacant, according to the report as cited by Ramesh.
- Reported irregularities
- Ramesh cited nine instances of paper leaks and examination irregularities between 2017 and 2025.
- NTA establishment
- The agency was established in 2017.
- Financial surplus
- Ramesh said the NTA had a cumulative revenue surplus of Rs 590 crore invested in fixed deposits.
- Committee chair
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education was chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik.
- Key recommendations
- The committee called for a legislative framework, stronger examination infrastructure, less reliance on private contractors and improved transparency.