The Ministry of Education has announced the formation of a high-level committee of experts aimed at ensuring transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations, particularly amid recent issues surrounding NEET and UGC-NET. The committee, chaired by Dr. K Radhakrishnan, former ISRO chairperson and current chairman of the board of governors at IIT Kanpur, will focus on recommending reforms in the examination process, enhancing data security protocols, and improving the structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Dr. Radhakrishnan will lead a distinguished panel that includes Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS; Prof. BJ Rao, vice chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad; Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus at IIT Madras; Pankaj Bansal, co-Founder of PeopleStrong and Board Member of Karmayogi Bharat; and Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean of Student Affairs at IIT Delhi. Govind Jaiswal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, will serve as the member secretary of the committee.
The committee's mandate includes a comprehensive review of the entire examination process, proposing measures to enhance system efficiency, and conducting a thorough evaluation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the NTA with recommendations to strengthen them. Additionally, the panel will focus on improving data security protocols, evaluating existing processes, and suggesting enhancements.
Furthermore, the committee will assess the organizational structure and operational framework of the NTA, aiming to clearly define roles and responsibilities at all levels. The Ministry expects the committee to submit its report within two months from the issuance of the order, outlining actionable recommendations to streamline examination procedures and uphold fairness and transparency in testing conducted by the NTA.
