The Centre has terminated the services of 47 officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) as part of a sweeping restructuring of the country's premier entrance examination body, amid nationwide student protests over repeated paper leaks and demands for accountability in the examination system.
According to government sources, the dismissals form part of a broader effort to overhaul the NTA's functioning following sustained criticism over examination irregularities. The move comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of measures to curb paper leaks, including the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials in such cases.
Sources indicated that legal and criminal proceedings would also be initiated wherever wrongdoing is established, while the agency is being reorganised with greater emphasis on specialised functions such as cybersecurity, forensic investigation, examination operations and assessment research.
The restructuring follows weeks of nationwide demonstrations triggered by alleged paper leaks and irregularities in competitive examinations, particularly NEET-UG. Protesters have accused the NTA of failing to safeguard the integrity of high-stakes entrance tests and have demanded systemic reforms, compensation for affected students and political accountability.
Government sources said the exercise is aimed at rebuilding confidence in the testing process rather than making isolated personnel changes. Besides the dismissals, the Centre is examining changes to the NTA's outsourcing practices to reduce vulnerabilities in question paper handling, digital systems and examination logistics.
Established in 2017 as an autonomous testing body under the Ministry of Education, the NTA conducts several national-level entrance examinations, including NEET, JEE Main, CUET and UGC-NET. In recent years, however, it has faced repeated scrutiny over alleged paper leaks, technical glitches and examination-related controversies, prompting demands for structural reforms.
The government's latest action coincides with legislative efforts to strengthen the legal framework against examination fraud. Amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act are expected to introduce tougher penalties and faster prosecution of those involved in paper leaks, reinforcing the Centre's broader attempt to restore credibility to India's examination system.