High-Level Committee Formed to Investigate National Testing Agency Amid Controversy

New Delhi, June 24 – In response to mounting concerns and controversies surrounding the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Ministry of Education has established a seven-member high-level committee tasked with scrutinizing the agency’s operations. The committee, scheduled to convene on Monday, aims to ensure transparency, propose reforms in the examination process, and strengthen data security protocols.

Led by former ISRO chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, the committee’s formation comes in the wake of widespread criticism following the NEET-UG 2024 exams, where an unprecedented number of candidates achieved perfect scores, sparking allegations of irregularities.

Announcing the committee’s mandate, the Ministry of Education emphasized its commitment to enhancing the fairness and integrity of examinations conducted by the NTA. “The High-Level Committee of Experts has been constituted to recommend reforms in the mechanism of examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and to review the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency,” stated the ministry spokesperson.

The NTA, responsible for conducting various national-level entrance examinations, including NEET-UG, has faced calls for dissolution amid allegations of compromised examination integrity. The controversy escalated after protests erupted nationwide over the alleged discrepancies in exam results.

In response to these developments, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a criminal investigation, focusing on reported irregularities during the NEET-UG 2024 examination across several states. Special investigative teams have been deployed to gather evidence and assess the veracity of these claims.

Asserting its stance on data security, the NTA has refuted allegations of website vulnerabilities, describing them as “wrong and misleading.” The agency assured the public of robust security measures in place to safeguard examination processes and sensitive data.

As the high-level committee prepares to commence its deliberations, and with the CBI investigation underway, stakeholders await comprehensive findings that could reshape the future of national-level examinations administered by the NTA. The outcomes are anticipated to address concerns regarding transparency, fairness, and the overall credibility of examination processes in India.