Subodh Kumar Singh, who was NTA director general, has been replaced by retired IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola. Also, according to the education ministry, the expert panel formed will recommend reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and structure and functioning of the NTA
The union government removed Subodh Kumar Singh, director-general of the National Testing Agency (NTA), in an order issued late on Saturday evening, replacing him with retired IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola.
According to the order issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, 1985-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer Kharola, chairman and managing director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), has been assigned the charge of DG NTA “till further appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders…”
The order also stated that it has placed the services of Singh, a 1997-batch IAS officer, on “compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training”.
The move comes amid allegations of irregularities in the NTA following the conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) this year, cancellation of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) due to a paper leak on the darknet, and postponement of the CSIR-UGC-NET.
Hours before the Centre’s order on Saturday, the ministry of education (MoE) announced the forming of a seven-member high-level panel to ensure “transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations” through the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The panel will be led by Dr K Radhakrishnan, formerly chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and now chairman of the Board of Governors (BoG) of IIT-Kanpur.
According to the ministry, the panel will recommend reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and structure and functioning of the NTA.
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan wrote on social media site X: “Transparent, tamper-free and zero-error examinations is a commitment. Setting up of the high-level committee of experts is the first of a series of step to improve efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and overhaul and reform the NTA. Student interests and their bright future will always be our govt’s top priority.”
Pradhan on Thursday announced that the ministry will be forming a high-level panel to review the functioning of the NTA, saying that its working needs improvement.
“The reforms in mechanism of examination process will involve analysis of end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach,” the ministry said.
It will also include conducting a thorough review of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols of the NTA and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures/protocols along with monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at every level.
According to the ministry, the panel will evaluate the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement.
“It will also examine existing security protocols related to paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance robustness of system,” it said.
The committee will also make recommendations on the organisational structure and functioning of the NTA for implementation of recommendations and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level.
“The expert panel will assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency,” the ministry said.
The panel shall submit its report to the minister within two months from the date of issue of this order. Meanwhile, it can co-opt any subject matter expert to assist it.
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