A crucial parliamentary panel has raised alarming issues regarding the handling of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) exams in 2024, highlighting repeated delays, incidents of paper leaks, and various mistakes. The committee has advocated for a shift back to traditional pen-and-paper assessments, similar to those used by CBSE and UPSC. NEW DELHI: The parliamentary standing committee on education has said National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of entrance examinations in 2024 “has not inspired much confidence” and recommended a shift towards pen-and-paper based tests along with a nationwide blacklist of firms involved in exam irregularities.On pen-and-paper based tests, the panel said there are several models that have been leak-proof for years, such as CBSE board exams & UPSC. The committee, headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, noted in its report that “in 2024 alone, of the 14 competitive examinations conducted by NTA, at least five faced major issues”. It recorded that “three examinations – UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and NEET-PG – had to be postponed, one examination viz. NEET-UG saw instances of paper leaks, and one examination CUET (UG/PG) saw its results postponed”.The committee also flagged that in JEE (Main) 2025 held in Jan, at least 12 questions had to be withdrawn due to errors in the final answer key. It observed that “such instances do not inspire confidence of the examinees in the system”. “The committee, therefore, recommends that NTA needs to quickly get their act together so that such instances, which otherwise are fully avoidable, do not occur in future,” the report said.On exam security, the panel weighed risks in both online and offline modes. It noted that pen-and-paper exams “offer more opportunities for paper leaks”, while computer-based tests (CBT) “can be hacked in a manner that is difficult to detect”. Between the two, it supported a stronger shift to traditional formats, stating that NTA should closely study and replicate the CBSE and UPSC models. For CBT, the panel recommended that such exams be hosted only in government-controlled centres and “never in private centres”.The report also flagged concerns over the continuing engagement of tainted vendors. It said several firms involved in paper setting, administration and correction have been blacklisted by organisations and state governments, yet continue to secure contracts elsewhere. “Such blacklisted firms must not be engaged for any entrance test by the NTA or state govts,” it said, recommending a nationwide list of blacklisted firms and associated individuals to prevent future contracts.Highlighting NTA’s finances, the panel noted that the agency “collected an estimated Rs 3,512.9 crore while it has spent Rs 3,064.7 crore on the conduct of exams, thereby creating a surplus of Rs 448 crores in the last six years”. It recommended that this corpus be used to build NTA’s internal capability or to strengthen regulatory and monitoring systems for vendors.The panel also flagged growing dependence on private coaching, urging tighter alignment of entrance examinations with school curricula and recommending a task force to explore regulatory oversight of coaching sector.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Nonchalant, Lackadaisical Attitude’: Ex-AirAsia CFO Breaks Down Indigo Fiasco’It Was Treated Like An Extra’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress For ‘Injustice’ To Vande Mataram’Biggest Mistake’: TMC’s Mahua Moitra Blasts PM Modi, Dares BJP To Win Bengal With Divisive PoliticsIndia Issues Warning To China Over Targeting Indians, Blasts Pakistan’s Remarks On Arunachal PradeshThe Truth Behind Curtailed Vande Mataram : Politics, Unity And A Century Of Cultural TensionAAP MP Raghav Chadha Calls Out ‘Legalised Loot’ Of Toll Plazas In Rajya Sabha’Only 2 Reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi, Links Vande Mataram Debate To Bengal Polls’Jinnah Ka Munna…’: Anurag Thakur’s Brutal Attack on Congress, Rips Apart Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi’Will Set An Example’: IndiGo Faces Heat As Aviation Minister Promises Tough Action In Rajya SabhaGoa Club Fire Exposed Deadly Design Errors, Trapping Dozens As Only One Exit Functioned123Photostories5 ways to enjoy egg and spinach for breakfastFood combinations with yogurt that are healthy or can be toxicBoard-certified doctor shares 8 foods that people with arthritis should add to their daily diet5 teen Indian cricketers who are already making waves8 Indian dishes one can make with oats5 deep and emotional RupiKaur quotes on love and heartbreak5 animals with lifespans shorter than a weekFrom gold-medalist engineer to nightclub boss — The rise of Saurabh LuthraHeartbreak and closure: After Dileep’s acquittal, all eyes turn to Manju Warrier’s next moveSHE travels: 10 reasons why women should travel more often, guilt-free123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingOmarion HamptonJaxson DartPatrick MahomesMariasharapova and Alexander Net worthAryna Sabalenka Net WorthJohn TavaresRafael Nadal and Mery Net WorthCandace OwensMLB Trade RumorsCardi B
NEW DELHI: The parliamentary standing committee on education has said National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of entrance examinations in 2024 “has not inspired much confidence” and recommended a shift towards pen-and-paper based tests along with a nationwide blacklist of firms involved in exam irregularities.On pen-and-paper based tests, the panel said there are several models that have been leak-proof for years, such as CBSE board exams & UPSC. The committee, headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, noted in its report that “in 2024 alone, of the 14 competitive examinations conducted by NTA, at least five faced major issues”. It recorded that “three examinations – UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and NEET-PG – had to be postponed, one examination viz. NEET-UG saw instances of paper leaks, and one examination CUET (UG/PG) saw its results postponed”.The committee also flagged that in JEE (Main) 2025 held in Jan, at least 12 questions had to be withdrawn due to errors in the final answer key. It observed that “such instances do not inspire confidence of the examinees in the system”. “The committee, therefore, recommends that NTA needs to quickly get their act together so that such instances, which otherwise are fully avoidable, do not occur in future,” the report said.On exam security, the panel weighed risks in both online and offline modes. It noted that pen-and-paper exams “offer more opportunities for paper leaks”, while computer-based tests (CBT) “can be hacked in a manner that is difficult to detect”. Between the two, it supported a stronger shift to traditional formats, stating that NTA should closely study and replicate the CBSE and UPSC models. For CBT, the panel recommended that such exams be hosted only in government-controlled centres and “never in private centres”.The report also flagged concerns over the continuing engagement of tainted vendors. It said several firms involved in paper setting, administration and correction have been blacklisted by organisations and state governments, yet continue to secure contracts elsewhere. “Such blacklisted firms must not be engaged for any entrance test by the NTA or state govts,” it said, recommending a nationwide list of blacklisted firms and associated individuals to prevent future contracts.Highlighting NTA’s finances, the panel noted that the agency “collected an estimated Rs 3,512.9 crore while it has spent Rs 3,064.7 crore on the conduct of exams, thereby creating a surplus of Rs 448 crores in the last six years”. It recommended that this corpus be used to build NTA’s internal capability or to strengthen regulatory and monitoring systems for vendors.The panel also flagged growing dependence on private coaching, urging tighter alignment of entrance examinations with school curricula and recommending a task force to explore regulatory oversight of coaching sector.
