NTA Exam Update: A parliamentary standing committee has raised serious concerns over the National Testing Agency (NTA) following repeated disruptions in national-level entrance exams.
The committee, chaired by Congress, said errors, postponements, and paper leaks have affected student confidence, prompting recommendations to focus more on pen-and-paper testing.
Out of 14 competitive exams conducted by the NTA in 2024, five faced significant issues. The UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and NEET-PG were postponed, while NEET-UG experienced paper leaks, and CUET (UG/PG) faced delays in result declaration. The report said such failures point to gaps in planning, monitoring, and exam security.
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Problems continued into early 2025. During the January session of JEE Main 2025, at least 12 questions were withdrawn after errors were detected in the final answer key. The panel noted that such lapses erode trust in the system and emphasized the need for stronger safeguards.
The committee also compared pen-and-paper exams with computer-based tests. While offline exams carry a risk of leaks, online tests can be hacked in ways that are difficult to detect. Given the reliability of traditional exams like CBSE and UPSC, the panel recommended a greater focus on pen-and-paper testing until online systems are more secure.
It also suggested that computer-based tests should be conducted only in government-controlled centres and called for the creation of a nationwide blacklist for vendors involved in paper setting and evaluation to prevent repeated irregularities.
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The panel highlighted that over the past six years, NTA collected ₹3,512.98 crore while spending ₹3,064.77 crore, leaving a surplus of ₹448 crore. It suggested using these funds to strengthen the agency’s in-house capabilities and improve oversight of external vendors.
In conclusion, the Parliamentary panel’s recommendations underscore systemic issues in NTA exams and the urgent need for a secure, reliable, and fair testing process. A shift back to pen-and-paper exams, along with stronger monitoring and stricter vendor control, could help restore student confidence and ensure integrity in India’s national entrance examinations.
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