New Delhi: In its biggest overhaul since the NEET controversy, the Centre has removed 47 officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA), signalling a sweeping clean-up of India's premier examination body. The move is part of a broader effort to strengthen exam security, tighten anti-paper leak laws and restore public confidence in high-stakes entrance examinations.

The action follows months of scrutiny over the conduct of national entrance exams, particularly after the NEET row exposed serious concerns over examination integrity and administration. More action is likely as ongoing inquiries fix accountability.

Alongside the administrative shake-up, the NTA has launched a recruitment drive to induct domain experts. It is hiring General Managers and 16 Young Professionals with expertise in cybersecurity, psychometrics, assessment research, forensic investigation, technology and examination operations to modernise the agency and strengthen its security architecture.

The Centre is also working to further tighten the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act by proposing stricter punishment for paper leaks and fast-track courts to ensure swift prosecution of offenders.

In a parallel move, the Delhi Police has constituted a Special Task Force within its Crime Branch to investigate paper leak and examination fraud cases involving agencies such as the NTA, UPSC and SSC under the anti-cheating law.

With millions of students depending on these examinations each year, the government is attempting a structural reset of the examination ecosystem through administrative accountability, professional expertise, stronger legal safeguards and specialised investigation. The success of these reforms will ultimately be measured by their ability to ensure transparent, secure and credible examinations.

BI Bureau