Education ministry forms high-level committee led by ex-ISRO chairman to study functioning of NTA

NEW DELHI: The ministry of education, has constituted a high-level committee to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA). As per the official press release, the committee will submit its report to the ministry within two months from the date of issue of this order.

The committee will be chaired by the former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and chairman of the board of governors at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, K Radhakrishnan. Other members include the former director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi Randeep Guleria, education experts from universities and a representative from the Ministry of Education.

According to the official press release, the committee will give recommendations on reforms in the examination process, improvements in data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the NTA.

“Ministry of Education constitutes a High-Level Committee of Experts under the chairmanship of K Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur, to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations,” the ministry of education posted on the official X account.

“The Committee to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of the examination process, improvement in Data Security protocols and structure and functioning of NTA,” it further said.

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Committee's tasks

The following are key tasks of the high-level committee.

• To analyse the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve the efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach.

• To review the NTA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and propose improvements, including stronger monitoring mechanisms.

• To evaluate the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement.

• To review the NTA's organizational structure and recommend changes to implement the committee's other recommendations. This includes defining clear roles and responsibilities for all staff.

• Assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency.