Archive · 19 Aug 2026
NTA Overhaul Adds Four-Tier Checks After Exam Lapses
The National Testing Agency is changing how it prepares and runs exams.
It removed 600 experts and plans to bring in new specialists.
Question papers will be checked four times to help find mistakes.
The agency also plans to hire 20 to 25 officials soon.
Ten leadership jobs in technology, finance, security and testing have been advertised.
NTA offices will move to new buildings with stronger security from CISF teams.
These changes follow problems connected to the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams.
The NTA will also review all its exam procedures and report how it is fixing them.
The National Testing Agency removed 600 experts and is onboarding replacements.
A four-tier question-paper review system will be introduced to reduce errors.
The agency plans to induct 20 to 25 officials within two to three weeks.
NTA offices will move to new premises with strengthened security, including CISF teams.
The NTA will recruit senior professionals and audit examination processes after recent NEET-UG and UGC-NET controversies.
- Who
- The National Testing Agency, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and other senior officials.
- What
- The NTA is overhauling its examination operations through staff changes, four-tier question-paper checks, new leadership recruitment, enhanced security and a process audit.
- When
- The announcement followed a review meeting chaired on Monday and was made on Tuesday; 20 to 25 officials are expected to join within two to three weeks.
- Where
- The NTA's offices are to move to new premises; sources said the move would be from Okhla to Minto Road in New Delhi.
- Why
- The measures follow recent examination lapses, including issues involving UGC-NET papers and the NEET-UG paper-leak controversy, and aim to make exams more secure, fair and error-free.
Critics and Student Groups
Government and NTA
Accountability for exam lapses
Critics and Student Groups
Opposition parties and protesting student groups criticized repeated NTA lapses and called for the agency to be scrapped, saying students' academic and career plans were at risk.
Government and NTA
The government ordered a major internal overhaul, while NTA sources said the agency was reviewing its processes and protocols to make examinations fair and error-free.
Response to UGC-NET problems
Critics and Student Groups
Critics viewed the UGC-NET problems as evidence of continued weaknesses in the examination system.
Government and NTA
The NTA said it investigated complaints, identified anomalies in three subjects and recommended re-tests in the interest of a fair and error-free examination.
Future examination safeguards
Critics and Student Groups
The ABVP said students' futures could not be compromised and that the NTA must be held accountable.
Government and NTA
Education Minister Pralhad Joshi directed strict compliance with examination protocols, stronger confidential-operations systems, additional security and a complete audit.
- Experts removed
- 600 experts were removed as part of a revamp, with new experts being onboarded.
- Other staff removed
- More than 50 staff members had been removed in connection with the broader examination overhaul; one report said 47 officials were terminated in July before the total rose above 50.
- Question-paper checks
- A four-tier checking system will be introduced.
- Planned inductions
- The NTA plans to induct 20 to 25 officials within two to three weeks.
- Leadership recruitment
- Ten professional positions, including chief technology, finance and information-security roles, have been advertised.
- Office security
- NTA offices will shift to new premises, with Central Industrial Security Force teams assigned to reinforce security.
- Process review
- The NTA must conduct a comprehensive audit of examination processes and submit a report on corrective actions.
