Lok Sabha Question No. 2465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-04
Subject: Review of National Testing Agency (NTA)
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2465

ANSWERED ON- 04/08/2025

## Review of National Testing Agency (NTA)

## 2465.     Shri Sasikanth Senthil:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received complaints regarding technical glitches, question paper  discrepancies  or  procedural  delays  in  examinations  conducted  by  the  National Testing Agency (NTA) during the current year, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether the Government proposes to undertake a comprehensive review on the operational procedures and governance structure of the NTA;
- (c) if so, the details thereof including the timeline and scope of such review;
- (d)  whether  any  steps  have  been  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  to  enhance  transparency accountability  and  grievance  redressal  mechanisms  within  the  NTA,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (e)  whether the Government has constituted or proposes to constitute any enquiry or Expert Committee to examine the conduct of recent examinations held by NTA, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)   whether the Government has considered any institutional reforms or structural changes to strengthen the functioning of NTA, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to  (f):  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.

The  major  examinations  conducted  by  NTA  since  January  2025  include  JEE  (Main), CUET(PG), NEET(UG), UGC-NET, CUET(UG) among others. The aforesaid examinations have been conducted successfully and results of the same have also been declared. NTA has informed that NTA helpdesk receives queries/complaints/grievances regarding examinations, which are redressed as per established procedure. Complaints relating to technical glitches have also been redressed in accordance with factual ground reports, while ensuring that the interest of all candidates is protected. Any issues related to Questions/Keys are transparently settled by subject experts through the Answer Key Challenge Process. Overall process of examinations has been conducted by NTA successfully.

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 has 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. Guidelines for Question Paper Setting and Vetting as per defined protocols have also been recommended. Further, besides other recommendations, the HLCE has called for detailed framework to be developed on Testing Centre Allocation Policy to prevent any unusual pattern of test centre allocation to students. The HLCE has called for Grievance Reporting and Redressal Cell of NTA to be equipped with AI/ML- based technology power to quickly assess and provide a response to the stakeholder query/complaint within a reasonable time frame.

For strengthening of the NTA, 16 new posts have been created in NTA, 8 each at the Director and Joint Director levels. Institutional linkages with States and Districts have been established.

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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