New Delhi: The Centre has sacked 47 National Testing Agency personnel as part of the biggest overhaul of the examination body since its formation, government sources said.
The government plans to complete the wider restructuring over the next month. Some of the removed personnel could also face disciplinary action if investigations establish their responsibility for lapses.
The NTA conducts between 15 and 20 national-level examinations, including NEET UG, JEE Main and the Common University Entrance Test. Lakhs of students appear for examinations conducted by the agency every year.
Sources said the dismissal of 47 personnel formed part of a larger effort to strengthen accountability within the NTA.
The government does not plan to limit the exercise to staff changes. It will also restructure the agency’s operations and clearly define the responsibilities of officials who manage different stages of national examinations.
Authorities could take further action against some former personnel based on the findings of internal reviews and investigations.
The Centre will also change how the NTA hires private agencies and outsources examination-related work.
The agency depends on outside vendors for several tasks linked to examinations. The new system will introduce stricter checks on private companies and increase direct supervision by the NTA.
Sources said the reforms would address weaknesses in question paper preparation, transportation, examination centre management and result processing. The government also plans to hold vendors accountable for security failures.
An expert committee constituted to recommend examination reforms has guided the proposed changes.
The Centre plans to introduce structural and technological safeguards based on the committee’s recommendations. These measures aim to create a leak-proof examination system and improve transparency at every stage.
The government also wants stronger monitoring systems that can detect security breaches and suspicious activity before an examination takes place.
The restructuring follows months of criticism of the NTA over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.
The alleged leak triggered nationwide protests and renewed demands for accountability and examination reforms. Students raised concerns about the security and fairness of high-stakes entrance tests.
The sacking of 47 personnel marks the first major step in the restructuring exercise. The Centre expects to implement the remaining reforms within a month to restore trust in national entrance examinations.
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