Archive · 20 Aug 2026
NTA Plans Shorter Expert Tenures, Staggered Information, Air-Gapped Systems
The National Testing Agency is changing how it organizes exams.
It wants subject experts to work for shorter periods.
An official said this could make it harder for people involved in exam cheating to influence them.
The agency may also share exam information in separate parts.
This means not everyone inside the official system would know everything.
The plan also includes air-gapped systems, which are kept separate from outside networks.
The new approach was tested in a recent CSIR exam and a NEET re-examination.
The agency is now making these changes part of its regular system.
The National Testing Agency is overhauling its examination system after recent concerns.
The agency is considering shorter engagement periods for subject experts.
An NTA official said longer tenures could allow a suspected examination mafia to compromise experts.
Information may be staggered so that complete details are not available even across official circles.
The new system was tested during the recent CSIR exam and NEET re-examination and is now being institutionalised.
- Who
- The National Testing Agency, the Education ministry, and subject experts.
- What
- An overhaul involving shorter expert tenures, staggered information access, and air-gapped systems.
- When
- The overhaul was announced by the Education ministry, and the new system was tested in recent examinations.
- Where
- Within the National Testing Agency's examination system.
- Why
- The agency said shorter tenures and restricted information could reduce the risk of experts being compromised by an examination mafia.
- Implementing agency
- National Testing Agency
- System change
- Shorter engagement periods for subject experts
- Information policy
- Information may be staggered, with full details not disclosed across all official circles
- Cybersecurity measure
- The overhaul includes air-gapped systems
- Initial testing
- The new system was tested in the recent CSIR exam and NEET re-examination
- Current status
- The system is being institutionalised
- Stated rationale
- An NTA official cited concerns that an examination mafia could compromise experts serving for longer periods