Parliamentary Panel Calls for Stronger NTA Reforms, Timely Results, and Leak-Proof Exams

A recent report tabled in Parliament by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has cast a sharp spotlight on the National Testing Agency (NTA), urging the body responsible for India’s largest entrance examinations—including JEE, NEET, CUET, UGC-NET, and others—to significantly upgrade its testing capabilities and ensure timely conduct of exams and declaration of results.

Headed by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, the committee emphasized that the agency “has not inspired much confidence” in recent years, particularly due to delays, errors, postponements, and instances of paper leaks across multiple examinations. With millions of students depending on these national-level tests for admissions and career pathways, the committee has called for urgent reforms to restore credibility and efficiency in the country’s testing ecosystem.

Timeliness of Results Under Scrutiny

One of the committee’s most pressing concerns was NTA’s inability to release results on schedule, particularly for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). For consecutive years, CUET results were delayed, causing a domino effect on the academic calendar of universities.

The panel explained that the ripple effects of late results are severe—university admissions get pushed back, academic sessions begin behind schedule, and students face unnecessary uncertainty and pressure. The committee firmly stated that NTA must not only conduct exams on time but also declare results “in a time-bound manner” to prevent disruption in higher education institutions across the country.

Five Major Exams Faced Issues in 2024

The report highlighted that out of 14 major examinations conducted by the NTA in 2024, at least five experienced serious issues:

• UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and NEET-PG were postponed
• NEET-UG faced paper leak incidents, further denting public trust
• CUET results were delayed, affecting the admission cycle

These recurring problems underscore a need for structural improvements within the NTA, according to the committee.

JEE Main Errors Raise Serious Concerns

The committee also pointed to substantial issues in the January 2025 JEE Main examination, where at least 12 questions had to be withdrawn because of errors in the final answer key.

Such mistakes, the report noted, shake students’ confidence in the examination system—especially in high-stakes tests where even a single mark can alter admission chances to top engineering institutes. The panel recommended that NTA must overhaul its quality-control systems to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Surplus of ₹448 Crore Should Be Reinvested in Strengthening NTA

According to the report, NTA collected ₹3,512.98 crore over the past six years and spent ₹3,064.77 crore, leaving a surplus of ₹448 crore.

Instead of allowing this amount to remain unutilized, the committee has recommended that this surplus be used to:

• Build in-house testing and logistical capabilities
• Strengthen oversight of third-party vendors
• Adopt advanced monitoring tools for exam security
• Invest in skilled manpower and training

This reinvestment, the committee believes, will directly improve the reliability and transparency of national examinations.

Panel Supports Pen-and-Paper Exams Over Computer-Based Tests

One notable recommendation in the report is a renewed push toward pen-and-paper examinations. While NTA has increasingly adopted computer-based testing (CBT), the committee argued that traditional formats—like those conducted by CBSE and UPSC—have maintained an impressive track record of being “leak-proof for several years.”

The panel did not dismiss the need for CBT entirely but suggested that the agency must prioritize methods proven secure, especially until its digital systems are mature enough to withstand sophisticated malpractice attempts.

Draft UGC Regulations Under Review

Beyond NTA, the committee also assessed progress on the Draft UGC Regulations 2025, which outline minimum qualifications for teachers and standards for higher education institutions.

The UGC received 15,066 feedback submissions from:

• 10 state governments
• 92 associations and federations
• 52 universities and colleges
• National minorities and technical education bodies like AICTE and ICAR

These inputs are currently being analyzed. Given the wide-ranging implications of the regulations, the committee recommended that UGC hold discussions with the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) to ensure comprehensive stakeholder participation before finalizing the rules.

Vacant UGC Chairperson Position Must Be Filled

The committee flagged the prolonged vacancy in the office of the UGC Chairperson, which has remained unfilled since April 2025. Considering the central role UGC plays in shaping higher education policy, the panel urged the government to appoint a new chairperson at the earliest to avoid administrative delays.

Need for Updated Equity Regulations in Higher Education

The panel also raised concerns about delays in finalizing the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations 2025, which are intended to replace the decade-old 2012 framework. The committee recommended several critical inclusions in the revised regulations:

1. Recognition of OBC Harassment as Caste-Based Discrimination

The draft must explicitly list harassment against students and staff belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) under caste-based discrimination.

2. Inclusion of Disability as a Discrimination Axis

The report emphasized the need to integrate disability-based discrimination into the regulatory scope to ensure equitable treatment for individuals with disabilities.

3. Clear Definitions of Discrimination Instances

Without specific definitions, institutions may interpret complaints subjectively, potentially dismissing legitimate grievances. The panel insisted on well-defined categories to ensure accountability.

Who’s on the Committee?

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education includes several high-profile MPs such as:

• Sunetra Ajit Pawar
• Rekha Sharma
• Ghanshyam Tiwari
• Sambit Patra
• Ravi Shankar Prasad
• Bansuri Swaraj

Together, they have urged the Ministry of Education and relevant bodies to take swift corrective action.

Conclusion: A Call for Rapid and Robust Reform

The committee’s report is a strong indication that India’s national examination and higher-education regulatory systems require urgent modernization and improved governance. With widespread student unrest in recent years due to errors, leaks, and delays, restoring trust in institutions like NTA and UGC is not just an administrative priority—it is essential for the future of millions of young learners across the country.

By reinvesting its surplus, enhancing testing standards, improving digital security, and finalizing key regulatory frameworks, the NTA and UGC have an important opportunity to rebuild reliability and strengthen India’s higher education ecosystem.