**Summary:**
In response to concerns regarding technical glitches, question paper leaks, and procedural irregularities in competitive examinations such as NEET, CTET, and UGC-NET, the Ministry of Education has taken steps to strengthen the examination process conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NTA, established in 2018, has conducted over 250 examinations involving over 55 million candidates for entrance to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
To ensure transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations, the Ministry of Education formed a High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) on June 22, 2024. The HLCE submitted its report on October 21, 2024, recommending reforms to the National Common Entrance Testing, including strengthening the NTA, establishing institutional linkages with States, and involving Test Indenting Agencies as Knowledge and Examinations partners. The HLCE also outlined measures and recommended Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent breaches in both Pen and Paper Test (PPT) and Computer Based Test (CBT) examinations. The HLCE report is accessible at https://www.education.gov.insitesuploadfilesmhrdfilesHLCEReport.pdf.
A High-Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of I.S.R.O., has been constituted to oversee the implementation of these reforms in the conduct of national-level examinations by the NTA.
Key Entities Referenced
National Testing Agency NTA: A specialized body established to conduct examinations for entrance to Higher Education Institutions in India.
NEET: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, a competitive examination in India for admission to undergraduate medical courses (NEET-UG).
CTET: Central Teacher Eligibility Test, an Indian entrance examination for teachers.
UGCNET: University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test, an Indian entrance examination for determining the eligibility of Assistant Professors and/or Junior Research Fellowship awards in Indian universities and colleges.
CUET UG: Common University Entrance Test (Undergraduate), an examination for admission to undergraduate courses in Central Universities and other participating institutions in India.
CUET PG: Common University Entrance Test (Postgraduate), an examination for admission to postgraduate courses in Central Universities and other participating institutions in India.
High-Level Committee of Experts HLCE: A committee constituted by the Ministry of Education in India to suggest measures for transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by the NTA.
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan: Former Chairman, I.S.R.O., and chair of the HighPowered Steering Committee overseeing the implementation of reforms in national-level examinations by the NTA.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2333
ANSWERED ON-04/08/2025
SOP for Paper Leak in Competitive Exams
†2333. Shri Ganesh Singh:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is formulating any Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to
prevent incidents of technical glitches, question paper leaks or procedural irregularities
during the conduct of competitive examinations like NEET, CTET, UGC-NET etc.;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the salient features of the said SOP; and
(c) whether any special arrangement is proposed by the Government at technical and
administrative level under the SOP in respect of cyber security monitoring system of
examination centres and maintaining pre-examination confidentiality?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (c) : The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been set up as a specialized body to conduct
examinations for entrance to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Since its inception in 2018,
NTA has successfully conducted over 250 examinations involving over 5.5 crore candidates.
The examinations conducted by NTA include JEE(Main) for admission to undergraduate
engineering programs/determining eligibility for JEE(Advanced), NEET(UG) for admission to
undergraduate medical courses, CUET (UG) and CUET (PG) for admission to undergraduate
and postgraduate courses respectively in Central Universities and other participating
institutions, UGC-NET for Junior Research Fellows/eligibility test for Assistant
Professors/PhD. admissions etc.
In order to suggest effective measures for 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 and has recommended
Reformation of National Common Entrance Testing including strengthening of NTA,
institutional linkage with States, involvement of Test Indenting Agencies as Knowledge and
Examinations partner etc. The HLCE has also laid out measures and recommended Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent breaches in both Pen and Paper Test (PPT) and
Computer Based Test (CBT) examinations. The Report of the Committee can be accessed at:
https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/HLCE_Report.pdf
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.
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