The National Testing Agency has removed around 600 experts from its examination team and begun bringing in new specialists as part of a sweeping overhaul aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and security in some of India’s most important competitive examinations. The restructuring includes a proposed four-tier system for checking question papers, additional recruitment and the shifting of NTA offices to new premises where security will be reinforced by Central Industrial Security Force personnel. The measures were reviewed on Tuesday following directions from Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi. The changes come amid intense scrutiny of the testing agency following recent controversies involving major national examinations, including errors in UGC-NET papers and the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
600 experts removed
The Ministry of Education said the NTA had undertaken a revamp of its examination team, removing 600 experts while beginning the process of onboarding replacements. The scale of the exercise indicates an attempt to restructure the pool of specialists involved in different stages of the examination process rather than make incremental changes to the existing system.
The NTA is also expected to induct another 20 to 25 officials over the next two to three weeks. A broader plan for bringing additional personnel into the organisation was reviewed during the meeting. Joshi had directed the agency to ensure that necessary security arrangements and infrastructure were put in place for the smooth and credible conduct of examinations. NTA Director General subsequently briefed the minister on the steps being taken.
Four-tier checks for papers
One of the most significant changes will be the introduction of four levels of scrutiny for question papers before examinations are conducted. The system is intended to strengthen quality control and reduce the possibility of factual errors, translation mistakes and other lapses reaching candidates.
The move assumes particular significance after the NTA decided to re-conduct UGC-NET June 2026 examinations in English, Commerce and Sociology following the detection of multiple errors in the original papers. The fresh examinations are scheduled for September. The latest changes are therefore aimed not only at preventing security breaches but also at improving the reliability of the academic and technical processes through which examination papers are prepared and vetted.
Security to be tightened
Physical security surrounding the NTA's operations is also set for a substantial upgrade. The agency's offices will be shifted to new premises on a “war footing”, according to the Education Ministry. CISF teams will be deployed to strengthen security at the new facilities. The measures are part of a broader effort to protect confidential examination operations and restrict unauthorised access to sensitive material.
A day earlier, Joshi had ordered a comprehensive audit of NTA examination processes and sought a corrective-action report within 30 days. He also directed an overhaul of the agency's Confidential Operations architecture, including tighter controls around areas where sensitive examination work is conducted.
NTA under sustained scrutiny
The reforms follow a difficult period for the agency, which conducts high-stakes examinations including NEET-UG, JEE Main, CUET and UGC-NET. Recent errors in UGC-NET papers triggered criticism from candidates and student organisations, with protests adding pressure on the government to fix weaknesses in the examination system. More seriously, the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak renewed concerns about the security of confidential examination material and the role of people with privileged access to question papers.
These controversies have placed the functioning of the NTA under sustained public scrutiny because errors or security failures in national examinations can affect the academic and professional futures of lakhs of candidates.
Focus shifts to implementation
The removal of hundreds of experts, additional recruitment, four-tier scrutiny and stronger physical security represent some of the most extensive changes announced by the agency in recent months. The government is presenting the overhaul as an effort to strengthen credibility and ensure that future examinations are conducted securely and accurately.
The effectiveness of the changes, however, will ultimately depend on implementation. Replacing experts or adding another layer of scrutiny can reduce vulnerabilities only if accountability is clearly fixed at every stage of the examination cycle. With millions of students depending on NTA examinations for admission to universities and professional courses, restoring confidence will require more than preventing another paper leak. The agency will also have to demonstrate that question papers are accurate, confidential information remains secure and failures are identified before they affect candidates.
The latest overhaul marks the beginning of that effort, with the government now under pressure to ensure that the reforms translate into demonstrably safer and more reliable examinations.