Par Panel Flags Ongoing Recruitment and Exam Lapses, Seeks Urgent Corrective Measures

NEW DELHI, June 17: Expressing concern over recurring irregularities in competitive examinations, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has called for swift implementation of reforms and recommended that the Ministry of Education publish a clear and time-bound roadmap for overhauling the examination system.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, presented its 381st Action Taken Report on Tuesday. The report reviews progress on recommendations made in the committee’s earlier assessment of the Department of Higher Education’s budgetary demands for 2025-26.

The committee acknowledged the measures initiated by the Ministry of Education following controversies surrounding national level examinations. However, it noted that incidents involving examination irregularities continue to emerge, leading to cancellations and causing uncertainty and distress among students across the country.

According to the report, despite the establishment of oversight mechanisms and expert committees, the persistence of such issues highlights the need for stronger institutional reforms and more effective implementation of corrective measures.

The panel endorsed Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s earlier observation that substantial improvements are required within the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body responsible for conducting several major entrance examinations in India. It urged authorities to accelerate the execution of recommendations proposed by the High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE), chaired by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan.

The HLCE was constituted to recommend systemic reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in national competitive examinations. The committee believes that timely implementation of these recommendations is critical for restoring public confidence in the examination process.

To ensure comprehensive reform, the parliamentary panel suggested that the Department of Higher Education and the NTA engage in extensive consultations with students, educational institutions, experts, state governments, and other stakeholders. Such consultations, it said, would help formulate a robust and reliable protocol for conducting nationwide examinations without disruptions.

A key recommendation made by the committee is the publication of a detailed implementation schedule outlining how and when the proposed reforms will be executed. The panel stated that a transparent roadmap would enhance accountability and allow stakeholders to monitor progress effectively.

The report also highlighted concerns regarding private firms involved in examination-related services. It observed that some agencies blacklisted by one state government or organization continue to secure contracts elsewhere due to the absence of a centralized monitoring mechanism.

To address this issue, the committee recommended the creation of a nationwide database of blacklisted firms. Such a system would enable examination authorities and government departments to identify entities with questionable records and prevent them from participating in sensitive assignments related to national examinations.

Responding to these concerns, the Department of Higher Education clarified that the core functions of the NTA, including question paper preparation and answer evaluation, are not outsourced. The department emphasized that the agency maintains records of vendors that have faced penalties, contract terminations, or blacklisting.

Officials further stated that procurement procedures require bidders to disclose whether they have been blacklisted by any government agency. According to the department, vendors penalized by the NTA are not considered for future engagements.

The parliamentary committee also revisited the financial position of the National Testing Agency and reiterated its recommendation that available surplus funds be invested in strengthening the organization’s operational capabilities.

According to figures cited in the report, the NTA generated an estimated revenue of Rs 3,512.98 crore over the past six years while spending approximately Rs 3,064.77 crore on examination-related activities. This resulted in a surplus of nearly Rs 448 crore during the period.

The committee suggested that these resources should be utilized to enhance the agency’s technological infrastructure, improve examination security systems, reduce dependence on external vendors, and strengthen monitoring mechanisms.

Members observed that investing in advanced digital tools, secure testing platforms, and in house operational capacity could significantly improve the reliability and integrity of national examinations.

In its response, the Department of Higher Education noted that the NTA operates as a self-sustaining organization and does not receive regular financial support from the government. It explained that substantial funds are required each year for booking examination centers, developing software platforms, engaging subject experts, and ensuring security arrangements.

The department pointed out that the agency typically retains an average annual balance of around Rs 74.5 crore after meeting operational expenses. These funds are generally carried forward and utilized for preparatory activities linked to upcoming examinations.

However, officials indicated that any excess funds remaining after accounting for future operational requirements could be directed toward capability enhancement and institutional strengthening initiatives.

The committee stressed that improving the examination ecosystem must remain a priority, particularly given the growing number of students appearing for competitive tests every year. Any disruption or irregularity, it noted, has far-reaching consequences for candidates whose academic and professional futures depend on these examinations.

The latest recommendations come amid increasing demands for greater transparency, stronger security measures, and more efficient management of national entrance and recruitment examinations. Policymakers believe that sustained reforms, combined with technological upgrades and stricter accountability mechanisms, will be essential to safeguarding the credibility of India’s examination system.

With millions of students relying on the fairness and integrity of competitive tests, the committee’s recommendations place renewed focus on the need for a comprehensive exam reform roadmap that can deliver long-term structural improvements and restore trust in the country’s testing framework.