To bolster the transparency and security of national-level examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education has constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts. The committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman of ISRO and current Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Kanpur, comprises eminent personalities from various fields.
The committee’s Terms of Reference (ToR) are focused on three key areas:
Reform in Mechanism of Examination Process: The committee will analyze the end-to-end examination process administered by the NTA. It aims to suggest measures to enhance efficiency and prevent potential breaches. This includes a thorough review and strengthening of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols of the NTA, ensuring robust monitoring mechanisms for compliance.
Improvement in Data Security Protocols: Evaluating existing data security processes and protocols of the NTA is another crucial task. The committee will recommend measures to fortify these protocols, especially concerning paper-setting and other examination-related processes, to ensure a secure environment.
Structure and Functioning of National Testing Agency: Recommendations on the organizational structure and operational framework of the NTA will be provided to facilitate the implementation of the aforementioned reforms. This includes defining clear roles and responsibilities across all levels within the agency and assessing and enhancing the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism.
The committee, led by Dr. Radhakrishnan, includes distinguished members such as Dr. Randeep Guleria, Former Director of AIIMS Delhi; Prof. B J Rao, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad; Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras; Pankaj Bansal, Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat; Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs, IIT Delhi and Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Education, will serve as the Member Secretary.
The committee is expected to submit its comprehensive report to the Ministry within two months. It also has the authority to co-opt additional Subject Matter Experts as necessary to assist in its deliberations.
