India’s National Testing Agency, established in 2017 to standardize and secure the country’s examination system, is confronting significant credibility challenges following a series of high-profile failures. The agency oversees major competitive tests including medical and engineering entrance examinations, university admissions, and teaching eligibility assessments. In June, a paper leak compromised a crucial medical entrance examination for over two million students, necessitating retakes and sparking extensive youth-led protests that ultimately led to the resignation of the federal education minister.
The incident represents the latest in a recurring cycle of examination failures. A similar crisis occurred in 2024, prompting the establishment of a high-level task force to recommend systemic reforms. That earlier committee proposed over 100 improvements, though only slightly more than half have been reportedly implemented. The latest government response involves appointing another task force led by technology entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani to propose additional reforms and rebuild public confidence in the examination system.
Experts identify multiple structural problems extending beyond paper security. Proposed solutions include transitioning to computer-based examinations across standardized state-controlled centres, addressing the NTA’s heavy reliance on contract staff with limited permanent personnel experienced in academic assessment and examination management. Education specialists also suggest redesigning high-stakes exams to occur across multiple sessions with varying questions rather than depending on single test days, and allowing students to attempt entrance examinations multiple times annually rather than once per year.
The repeated crises have prompted calls from student activists and opposition politicians to disband the agency entirely. However, education leaders argue that dismantling the NTA would not address underlying systemic issues and could create additional complications through duplicated costs and uneven standards. The agency has successfully conducted numerous examinations without reported security breaches, suggesting targeted structural improvements rather than complete abolition may be the appropriate course of action.
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