Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Parliamentary Panel Seeks Exam-Day Rally Curbs, Late Entry Relaxation
A parliamentary committee has suggested ways to make important exam days run more smoothly.
It wants district officials to stop approving large gatherings that could make students late.
The committee says students who arrive late for genuine reasons should still be allowed to enter after signing a note.
They would get only the time left in the exam, not extra time.
It also wants exam paperwork and checks to happen outside the test period.
The ideas are part of a report about improving the National Testing Agency.
The report followed concerns about a NEET paper leak and problems with exam administration.
A parliamentary committee recommended withholding permission for rallies, processions and public gatherings on major examination days.
It urged amending the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and advance traffic and law-and-order planning by district administrations.
Candidates arriving late for genuine reasons should be allowed to enter after signing an undertaking, but receive only the remaining exam time.
The committee proposed a separate 15-minute window before or after tests for invigilator signing and checking formalities.
The recommendations appear in an NTA reform report submitted after the NEET paper-leak controversy and allegations of administrative lapses.
- Who
- The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik.
- What
- It recommended restrictions on public gatherings on exam days, limited late entry for candidates and a separate window for invigilator formalities.
- When
- The report was submitted on Friday, October 11; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- India; the report was submitted to the Rajya Sabha chairman.
- Why
- The panel said gatherings can delay candidates and that late arrivals may have genuine reasons; it also said in-exam formalities can disturb students' focus.
- Report
- Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA)
- Committee chair
- Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik
- Proposed legal change
- Amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
- Late entry
- Entry after signing an undertaking; candidates receive only the remaining exam time
- Invigilator formalities
- A separate 15-minute window before or after the test
- Report context
- NEET paper-leak controversy and alleged administrative lapses at the NTA
- Existing NTA advice
- Students have been advised to reach centres in advance and plan for events on exam days
