NTA overhaul needs to focus on strengthening the National Testing Agency’s examination systems instead of replacing the organisation, former UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar has said. He argued that exam security must cover the entire examination lifecycle, from question-setting and translation to storage, transportation, centre-level handling and result processing. Kumar identified three key priorities: securing every stage of the examination process, developing permanent professional expertise within NTA, and improving examination centres and candidate services. He recommended stronger access controls, encryption, digital traceability and independent security checks for confidential examination material. He also called for permanent specialists in test design, cybersecurity, languages, quality analysis, logistics and vendor management. On examination centres, Kumar suggested more accredited centres with CCTV monitoring, biometric verification, reliable power and connectivity, accessibility facilities and trained staff. He said creating multiple testing agencies merely to reduce NTA’s workload could duplicate costs and produce uneven security standards. Instead, NTA should be developed as a professional, mission-critical institution capable of conducting high-stakes national examinations.
NTA Overhaul: Ex-UGC Chief Suggests 3 Major Exam Security Reforms
