GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 531
ANSWERED ON : 04.02.2026
Urgent need for NTA overhaul
531 Dr. Laxmikant Bajpayee:
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that National Testing Agency (NTA) has repeatedly failed to conduct many
exams in a smooth manner and received sharp criticism...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 531
ANSWERED ON : 04.02.2026 Urgent need for NTA overhaul 531 Dr. Laxmikant Bajpayee:
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that National Testing Agency (NTA) has repeatedly failed to conduct many exams in a smooth manner and received sharp criticism for significant issues including paper leaks, exam postponements, withdrawal of large number of erroneous questions, delayed results, not aligning exam papers with school curriculum and conducting exams at Centres having very poor infrastructure; and
(b) what have been the reasons for such problems and the action Government is taking / propose to take to improve this serious situation exhibiting inefficiency and weaknesses in entire process and system of NTA? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) and (b): National Testing Agency (NTA) was established in the year 2018 by the Ministry of Education as a specialized body to conduct examinations for admissions/fellowships in Higher Education Institutions. Since inception, NTA has successfully conducted over 257 examinations involving over 6.5 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.
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