NTA doesn't inspire confidence, needs quick fix: Panel

Economic Times
Economic Times
2d ago • 7 views
A parliamentary panel has criticized the National Testing Authority for its handling of competitive exams in 2024, citing issues like paper leaks and delays.
NTA doesn't inspire confidence, needs quick fix: Panel
A What happened
A parliamentary panel has raised serious concerns about the performance of the National Testing Authority (NTA) following multiple issues in competitive exams conducted in 2024. The panel's report highlights that five out of fourteen exams were marred by problems such as paper leaks, postponements, and the withdrawal of erroneous questions from the JEE Main 2025 papers. The committee, led by Digvijay Singh, stated that these issues undermine the confidence of examinees in the examination system. To address these concerns, the panel recommends a shift towards pen-and-paper examinations, similar to the CBSE and UPSC models. It also suggests that if computer-based tests are implemented, they should only occur in government-controlled centers. Additionally, the panel calls for the regulation of private coaching centers and the creation of a blacklist for firms involved in exam-related irregularities.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Concerns Over NTA's Exam Management: The NTA's handling of competitive exams has faced scrutiny due to multiple operational failures.

  • 2

    Recommendations for Examination Reform: The panel advocates for pen-and-paper tests and stricter controls on computer-based exams.

  • 3

    Need for Coaching Center Regulation: The report emphasizes the necessity of regulating private coaching centers to ensure exam integrity.

Takeaways

The parliamentary panel's report highlights significant deficiencies in the NTA's operations and calls for urgent reforms to restore confidence in the examination process.

Topics

Work & Education Education World & Politics Governance