Archive · 28 Sep 2026
CISF Secures New NTA Office After NEET Paper Leak
The National Testing Agency, or NTA, conducts important exams in India.
After a NEET-UG question-paper leak, the agency moved sensitive work to a new office in Delhi.
The Central Industrial Security Force, or CISF, will protect the new building.
Its personnel will check people and bags before they enter confidential areas.
The checks will include frisking, X-ray baggage scanning and metal detectors.
Investigators said the old office did not properly check some experts or continuously monitor CCTV feeds.
The NTA is also adding stronger computer security and biometric checks.
It plans to use encryption, tamper-detecting storage and faster responses to cyber problems.
A government task force has separately been asked to recommend broader examination reforms.
The CISF has deployed 39 personnel to secure the National Testing Agency’s new Delhi premises.
CISF teams will regulate access, conduct frisking, screen baggage with X-ray machines and use door-frame metal detectors.
The move follows the NEET-UG paper leak, student protests and criticism of weak controls at the NTA’s former office.
The NTA has shifted confidential operations to more than 55,000 square feet in the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road.
Planned safeguards include encryption, tamper-evident storage, biometric checks, live CCTV monitoring, cyber audits and rapid incident response.
- Who
- The Central Industrial Security Force and the National Testing Agency, following criticism connected to the NEET-UG paper leak.
- What
- The CISF has deployed 39 personnel to secure the NTA’s new premises and control access to confidential areas.
- When
- Confidential operations were shifted to the new building during the month before the officials’ statements; the reports also refer to 2024 and 2026 paper leaks.
- Where
- The Government of India Press Building on Minto Road in New Delhi, covering the fifth floor and parts of the fourth and sixth floors.
- Why
- To strengthen physical, digital and cyber protections after paper leaks and alleged administrative and security lapses.
Critics and Investigators
NTA and Government Officials
Adequacy of previous security controls
Critics and Investigators
The CBI chargesheet said experts identified as primary sources of the leak were not checked or frisked when entering or leaving confidential areas. It also noted that the former NTA office lacked a dedicated control room for live CCTV monitoring.
NTA and Government Officials
Officials said the NTA has moved confidential operations to a new facility with demarcated sensitive areas, CISF access control, monitored entry points and expanded physical and digital safeguards.
Response to examination-system weaknesses
Critics and Investigators
The NEET-UG leak triggered nationwide protests and criticism of examination administration; the Supreme Court later reprimanded the NTA following a paper leak referred to in the reports as occurring in 2026.
NTA and Government Officials
The government announced a task force led by Nandan Nilekani, while the NTA is implementing access controls, security reviews, biometric systems, cybersecurity audits and a dedicated CISO role.
- Security force
- Central Industrial Security Force
- Personnel deployed
- 39 CISF personnel
- New premises
- Government of India Press Building on Minto Road, New Delhi
- Office space
- More than 55,000 square feet across the fifth floor and parts of the fourth and sixth floors
- Physical controls
- Frisking, X-ray baggage screening, door-frame metal detectors and controlled entry and exit points
- Digital safeguards
- Encryption, immutable logs, tamper-evident storage, biometric authentication and face matching
- Cybersecurity measures
- Readiness reviews, enhanced security operations centre monitoring, rapid response and independent audits
- Reform initiative
- A high-powered task force headed by Nandan Nilekani has been asked to recommend examination reforms
