**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding the restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA). The response outlines measures taken to ensure transparent and fair examinations, the role of PARAKH in standardizing assessments, additional posts created in NTA, and government efforts to reduce students' reliance on coaching centers. The Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) on 22.06.2024, which submitted its report on 21.10.2024, to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of examinations by the NTA.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **NTA Restructuring and Examination Integrity**
* The NTA was established in 2018 to conduct entrance examinations for Higher Education Institutions.
* A High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) was formed on 22.06.2024 to ensure transparent and fair conduct of examinations.
* The HLCE submitted its report on 21.10.2024 which included reformation of National Common Entrance Testing in India.
* A High-Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, has been formed to oversee the implementation of reforms.
* 16 new posts have been created in the NTA (8 Director and 8 Joint Director posts).
* **PARAKH and Holistic Assessment**
* PARAKH was established on 08.02.2023 to standardize assessment methods as per the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
* PARAKH has developed Holistic Progress Cards (HPC) for all four stages of school education, shifting the focus to competency-based and formative assessment.
* 32 States/UTs have adopted/adapted HPCs.
* **Reducing Reliance on Coaching Centers**
* The Ministry of Education and IIT Kanpur have started the SATHEE portal to provide free quality content for competitive examinations.
* Over 17 lakh learners are registered on SATHEE.
* The Ministry of Education has formulated guidelines for regulating coaching centers and circulated them to States/UTs on 16.01.2024 for action.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: NTA**
* **Impact**: Strengthened through restructuring and additional posts. Subject to increased oversight through the High-Powered Steering Committee.
* **Action Required**: Implement the reforms recommended by the HLCE and overseen by the High-Powered Steering Committee.
**Stakeholder: Students**
* **Impact**: Benefit from fairer and more transparent examination processes. Access to Holistic Progress Cards for improved learning assessment. Opportunity to access free quality content through the SATHEE portal.
* **Action Required**: Utilize the SATHEE portal for exam preparation. Understand and utilize the Holistic Progress Cards to improve learning outcomes.
**Stakeholder: States/UTs**
* **Impact**: Required to consider and act upon the guidelines for regulating coaching centers. Expected to implement Holistic Progress Cards.
* **Action Required**: Review and implement the guidelines for regulating coaching centers, developing appropriate legal frameworks. Adopt and adapt the HPCs.
Key Entities Referenced
National Testing Agency (NTA): A specialized organization to conduct examinations for Admission/Fellowship in Higher Education Institutions; the primary subject of restructuring and reform.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for the National Testing Agency (NTA) and related initiatives.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The policy document that provides the framework for educational reforms, including the establishment of PARAKH and Holistic Progress Cards.
PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development): The National Assessment Centre established by the Ministry of Education to standardize new assessment methods.
Holistic Progress Card (HPC): An assessment tool developed by PARAKH to capture multi-dimensional progress of learners.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2350
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
Restructuring of National Testing Agency (NTA)
2350. Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the status of the restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the measures
being taken by the Government to ensure that the new technology-based DIGI-EXAM
system is robust against past mismanagement and security breaches;
(b) the manner in which the Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge
for Holistic Development (PARAKH) is working to standardize new assessment methods
along with the time by which the PARAKH framework is likely to be implemented for
classes 3, 5 and 8;
(c) the reasons for the creation of ten additional posts in the NTA;
(d) whether the Government is monitoring the effectiveness of the public statements issued by
the Government to reduce students' dependence on coaching centres, if so, the details
thereof; and
(e) the manner in which redesigned board exams and curriculum are expected to lessen
reliance on coaching institutes?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a)to (e) The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established in 2018 as a specialized
organization to conduct examinations for Admission/Fellowship in Higher Education
Institutions. Since its inception in 2018, NTA has successfully conducted over 250
examinations involving over 5.5 crore candidates.
In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by NTA, the Ministry
of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) on 22.06.2024. The
Committee submitted its report on 21.10.2024 on reformation of National Common Entrance
Testing in India through several measures including institutional linkage with States,
involvement of Test Indenting Agencies as knowledge and examinations partner,
authentication of candidates at different Stages etc.
A High-Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman,
I.S.R.O. is already constituted to oversee the implementation of reforms in the conduct of
national-level examinations by the NTA.For strengthening of the NTA, 16 new posts have been created in NTA, 8 each at the Director
and Joint Director levels to ensure smooth and fair conduct of examinations.
In pursuance of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the National Assessment Centre,
PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic
Development), was established on 8th February, 2023 by the Ministry of Education under the
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
As part of its mandate to bring about a shift towards continuous formative assessments, the
National Assessment Centre - PARAKH has conceptualized and developed Holistic Progress
Cards, at each of the four stages of school education envisioned by the NEP, 2020 namely
foundational, preparatory, middle and secondary stage (available at
https://ncert.nic.in/parakh/hpc.php?ln= ).
The Holistic Progress Card (HPC), has been issued with the focus of shift from rote
memorisation to competency-based and formative assessment. It captured multi-dimensional
progress of learners covering cognitive, socio-emotional and physical development through
qualitative and quantitative indicators.
32 States/UTs have adopted/adapted HPCs at the Foundational, Preparatory and Middle Stages
of Education.
Ministry of Education in collaboration with IIT Kanpur has started SATHEE (Self-Assessment,
Test and Help for Entrance Examination) portal to provide free of cost quality content to
students who intend to participate in competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, CUET and
other Examinations. More than 17 lakh learners are registered and 400 mentors are available
on the platform.
The Ministry of Education has formulated guidelines for regulation of coaching centres and
circulated the same to States/UTs on 16.01.2024 for consideration and taking action by way of
appropriate legal framework. The guidelines are available at:
https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/Guideliens_Coaching_Centres_en
.pdf
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