NEW DELHI, Aug 25: A parliamentary standing committee has unanimously adopted a draft report proposing reforms to the National Testing Agency (NTA), following discussions between members of the ruling alliance and the Opposition over the future structure and functioning of the examination body.
The Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports approved the draft report after members reached an agreement on its wording, sources said.
The meeting witnessed differences over a proposal to grant statutory status to the NTA. Opposition members reportedly favoured giving the agency a statutory framework, while members of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) raised objections to the proposal.
Despite the disagreement, the committee reached a consensus and adopted the report without any dissent.
The panel, chaired by Congress MP Mukul Wasnik, held its sixth meeting to consider the draft 382nd report on reforms and strengthening of the NTA. The document had initially been circulated to members in both Hindi and English on August 19 and was subsequently sent again to facilitate discussions and arrive at a common position.
The committee was earlier headed by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, during whose tenure two meetings were conducted to deliberate on the proposed changes in the examination agency.
The report comes amid continued scrutiny of the NTA following controversies surrounding competitive examinations, particularly the NEET-UG examination. The committee examined measures taken by the agency to improve examination security and prevent question-paper leaks.
As part of its deliberations, the panel reviewed the implementation of recommendations made by a high-level committee constituted to suggest changes in the NTA’s functioning. It also examined the investigation into the alleged NEET-UG paper leak and questioned senior officials from the Higher Education Ministry, NTA and the National Medical Commission (NMC).
The committee’s discussions focused on strengthening systems designed to ensure the integrity and transparency of national-level entrance examinations. Officials were questioned about measures being introduced to prevent irregularities and protect the interests of candidates.
The NEET-UG controversy had triggered widespread concern among students and parents after allegations of a question-paper leak emerged. The examination, conducted on May 12 for admission to medical colleges, was subsequently cancelled and a re-examination was conducted on June 21.
The controversy also led to demonstrations by students demanding greater accountability and stronger safeguards in the examination system.
On July 20, students protesting alleged paper leaks organised a major march towards Parliament as the Monsoon Session began. The protest witnessed clashes after police attempted to prevent demonstrators from reaching the Parliament complex through different approach roads.
The unanimous adoption of the parliamentary panel’s report marks a significant step in the ongoing review of the NTA. The recommendations are expected to provide a framework for improving the agency’s examination procedures, administrative mechanisms and safeguards against malpractice.