1 hr ago
CISF Deployed at New NTA Office After Exam Leaks
The National Testing Agency runs important exams in India.
Its new office now has CISF security guards to protect private exam information.
The guards will check people and bags before they enter sensitive areas.
This follows a paper leak that caused protests and criticism of the agency.
Investigators said some experts could enter confidential areas without being searched.
They also said there was no dedicated room to watch security cameras live.
The NTA has moved sensitive work to a new building and is adding computer-security protections.
These steps are meant to make future exams safer and harder to tamper with.
The Central Industrial Security Force has deployed 39 personnel at the National Testing Agency’s new Delhi office.
CISF personnel will control access, conduct frisking, inspect baggage with X-ray machines and use metal detectors.
The move follows the NEET-UG paper leak, which exposed weak screening and inadequate live CCTV monitoring at the former office.
The NTA has shifted confidential operations to a 55,000-square-foot facility in the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road.
The agency is also introducing stronger digital controls, cybersecurity reviews, biometric checks, live monitoring and incident-response systems.
- Who
- The Central Industrial Security Force and the National Testing Agency, following criticism linked to examination paper leaks.
- What
- CISF has deployed 39 personnel to secure the NTA’s new office and regulate access to confidential areas.
- Where
- The Government of India Press Building on Minto Road, Delhi, where the NTA occupies more than 55,000 square feet.
- When
- The NTA said confidential operations were moved to the new building during the last month; the measures follow leaks described as occurring in 2024 and 2026.
- Why
- To address security weaknesses identified after the NEET-UG paper leak and strengthen physical and digital protection of examination systems.
Critics and Court
NTA and Government Officials
Whether past security controls were adequate
Critics and Court
The Central Bureau of Investigation said experts were not searched when entering or leaving confidential areas, and the office lacked a dedicated control room for live CCTV monitoring. The Supreme Court later reprimanded the NTA, saying it had not learned its lessons.
NTA and Government Officials
Officials said the NTA has shifted sensitive operations to a new facility with demarcated confidential areas, CISF access control and expanded physical and cybersecurity measures.
Key facts
- Security force
- Central Industrial Security Force
- Personnel deployed
- 39 CISF personnel
- New office
- Government of India Press Building on Minto Road
- Office space
- More than 55,000 square feet across the fifth floor and parts of the fourth and sixth floors
- Physical controls
- Frisking, baggage X-ray checks, door-frame metal detectors and controlled entry points
- Digital measures
- Encryption, tamper-evident logs, secure storage, cybersecurity audits and examination-cycle readiness reviews
- Additional technology
- Biometric authentication, face matching, CCTV coverage, live monitoring and enhanced security operations centre response
Quotes
A senior NTA officer
Senior officer discussing the relocation of NTA operations
“Confidential areas have been demarcated in the building where the movement and operations will be strictly monitored to ensure that a foolproof system is in place. The Home Ministry has approved Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security cover for the premises.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Confidential and sensitive operations have been shifted in the last one month to the newly allotted building.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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