NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education has formed a high-level committee of experts, led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to oversee and improve the operations of the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure the transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations.
The seven-member committee has been tasked with recommending reforms to the examination process, enhancing data security protocols, and improving the structure and functioning of the NTA, according to the Department of Higher Education within the ministry. The committee will submit its report to the ministry within two months,
Members include the Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad, Professor BJ Rao and former director of AIIMS Delhi, Dr Randeep Guleria.
This follows the Centre's implementation of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act on Friday, aimed at curbing malpractices and irregularities in competitive exams. The act includes provisions for a maximum jail term of ten years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders.
The committee will focus on three main areas: reforming the examination process, improving data security protocols, and enhancing the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Initially, in reforming the examination process, the committee will analyse the entire process to suggest measures for improving efficiency and preventing breaches. This includes conducting a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols of the NTA, recommending measures to strengthen these procedures, and establishing a monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance at every level.
Next, to improve data security protocols, the committee will evaluate the existing data security processes and protocols of the NTA and recommend improvements. It will also examine current security protocols related to paper setting and other examination processes, suggesting enhancements to increase the system's robustness.
Finally, regarding the structure and functioning of the NTA, the committee will make recommendations on the organisational structure and functioning to implement the reforms suggested in the previous sections. This includes clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level. Additionally, the committee will assess the current grievance redressal mechanism of the NTA, identify areas for improvement, and suggest measures to enhance its efficiency.
Who's who of the high-level committee:
1 Dr. K. Radhakrishnan,
Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur- Chairman
2 Dr. Randeep Guleria, Former Director, AIIMS Delhi -Member
3 Prof. B J Rao, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad- Member
4 Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras- Member
5 Shri Pankaj Bansal, Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat- Member
6 Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs, IIT Delhi- Member
7 Shri Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India - Member Secretary