NEW DELHI, July 24: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will be completely overhauled over the next month in a big move by the government following mass protests over exam paper leaks.
Official sources said on Friday that at least 47 people have been removed from the testing body. Action would also be taken against some of them, sources said, without giving details about their roles or designations.
One of the key changes includes tweaking the NTA’s outsourcing methods in order to ensure a leak-proof system, sources said a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced major steps such as fast-track courts to try paper leak cases.
The Center set up the NTA in 2017 as an autonomous and self-sustained testing body to conduct entrance examinations for admission and fellowship in higher educational institutions. A committee of experts will suggest the changes to refresh the NTA as a more efficient organisation, sources said. The NTA conducts at least 20 national-level examinations, including JEE, NEET and CUET.
The NTA revamp is part of a wider review of processes to stop paper leaks, especially after the massive protest led by the satirical political group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) drew support from students and Opposition parties across the nation.
Earlier today, the government approved a draft bill to ensure stricter punishments for paper leaks, including a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by PM Modi.
(Rohit Kumar)
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