National Testing Agency (NTA)

Why in News?

Recently, A Parliamentary Committee flagged exam irregularities and urged the NTA to expedite implementation of the Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations.

• NTA – It is an autonomous, specialist body established to conduct entrance and fellowship exams for admission to higher educational institutions.
• Established in– November 2017.
• Nodal Ministry – Ministry of Education,
• Legal Status – Registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Purpose – NTA was set up to relieve CBSE of heavy testing duties, which helps CBSE to focus on school education, curriculum design, and academic evaluation.
• Vision – Right candidates joining best institutions to realise India’s demographic dividend.
• Key Values – Quality, efficiency, equity, security
• Functions
  • Partner Institutions – Identify schools/colleges with exam infrastructure.
  • Question Bank – Create subject‑wise question banks using modern techniques.
  • Research and Development culture – Build strong research culture and expert pool in different aspects of testing.
• Major exams conducted – NEET-UG, JEE Main, CUET-UG, CUET-PG, UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC NET

Dr. K. Radhakrishnan Committee

• Formed in – June 2024, after the NEET‑UG paper leak.
• Purpose – To recommend reforms for the NTA, focusing on exam security, fairness, and structural strengthening.
• Exam Format Shift – Transition to fully digital tests and hybrid OMR model tests.
• Candidate Security – Aadhaar biometrics, facial recognition via DIGI‑EXAM.
• Center Monitoring – Strict monitoring through CCTV, mobile jammers, independent presiding officers.
• Logistics – Multi‑stage exams to reduce systemic pressure, assigning test centres closer to students.
• Reduced Outsourcing – Strengthen internal test development, secure data.

References

1. Indian Express | NTA
2. NTA | NTA