Why in News?

A high-level committee, chaired by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, has recommended significant reforms to ensure transparency and efficiency in conducting national entrance tests like NEET, CUET, and UGC-NET.

Drawing parallels with the general election framework, these reforms aim to safeguard the integrity of the examination process and prevent malpractices.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• What is the National Testing Agency (NTA)?
• Issues Faced by the NTA
• Key Recommendations of the High-Level Committee for Secure Examinations
• Conclusion 

What is the National Testing Agency (NTA)?

• About NTA:
  • It was set up in 2017 as a specialist, self-sustaining and autonomous organisation under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Education.
  • It is registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, and falls under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
  • Its director general and governing body are appointed by the Union government.
• Background:
  • In 2010, a committee comprising directors of IITs recommended establishing an autonomous and transparent body (NTA) through legislation, modelled after the Educational Testing Service (ETS) of the US.
  • Prior to the NTA’s formation, various government bodies like the UGC, the CBSE, and central universities such as Delhi University and JNU conducted their own entrance examinations.
• Objectives: It aims to
  • Conduct efficient, transparent and international standards tests in order to assess the competency of candidates for admission, and recruitment purposes.
  • Undertake research on educational, professional and testing systems to identify gaps in the knowledge systems and take steps for bridging them.
  • Identify experts and institutions in setting examination questions.
  • Produce and disseminate information and research on education and professional development standards.
• Examinations conducted by the NTA:
  • JEE (Main), NEET-UG, Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT), University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), etc.
  • The National Education Policy 2020 recommends a broader role for the NTA to conduct an entrance or aptitude test for all universities across the country.

Issues Faced by the NTA:

• Issue of accountability:
  • Computer-based tests ensure that high volume can be processed in a short period of time.
  • As the NIC [National Informatics Centre] does not have the capacity or IT infrastructure needed, third-party technical partners are being engaged.
  • This takes accountability out of the government’s hands and leaves loopholes in the system which can be exploited by unscrupulous players.
• Shortage of manpower: The agency was set up with only about 25 permanent staff positions and its functions have been outsourced to technical partners from the very beginning.
• Absence of robust security mechanisms:
  • These are needed to handle a large-scale pen-and-paper examination, including the
    • Setting of the question paper and its encryption,
    • Selection of external printing presses and exam centres,
    • Transportation to printing presses,
    • Storage and distribution to examinees at examination centres and
    • Then the collection and transportation of answer sheets to evaluation centres.
  • Each of these is a stage where malpractice can occur without robust security mechanisms.
• Cases of irregularities:
  • The integrity of the NEET-UG was compromised when the exam question paper was allegedly leaked.
  • Similarly, the UGC-NET exam was cancelled a day after being conducted, following reports that its integrity had been breached.

Key Recommendations of the High-Level Committee for Secure Examinations:

• Election-style examination framework:
  • State collaboration for test administration:
    • A collaborative approach between the Centre and state governments to conduct these exams, similar to how elections are managed.
    • The state administrative machinery, including district collectors, would play a crucial role in ensuring smooth execution.
  • Presiding officers and protocols: Each testing centre will have an NTA-appointed "presiding officer" responsible for overseeing operations, akin to polling booth management during elections.
  • Sealing and securing centres:
    • Testing centres are to be sealed before exams and unsealed only in the presence of district administration and NTA officials.
    • This procedure mirrors the election process, where EVM strong-rooms are locked and guarded.
• State and district-level committees:
• State-level committees: Headed by a Chief Secretary-nominated nodal officer, these committees will include representatives from state police, NTA, the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the NIC.
• District-level committees: Led by district magistrates, to ensure the identification of secure testing centres and develop strategies for question paper transportation with police or paramilitary support.
• Background checks for centres: Testing centres will be vetted based on past records, ownership backgrounds, and intelligence inputs to avoid potential security breaches.
• Reducing dependence on 3rd-party agencies: Phasing out reliance on private test delivery agencies (TCS iON) and collaborating with Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas to develop digital infrastructure for computer-based testing.
• Digi-exam system: Inspired by the DigiYatra model, the proposed "digi-exam" system will ensure candidate verification using biometric data and a one-time entry of primary identification information during the application process.
• CCTV monitoring and sanitised centres:
  • Continuous CCTV monitoring of candidates during the exam.
  • Sanitisation of computer-based testing centres by third parties, with additional checks by NIC and NTA representatives.
  • District-level CCTV monitoring centres to oversee exam operations.
• Redefining NTA’s role: The NTA should focus solely on entrance exams for higher education, leaving recruitment exams for other bodies.
• Flexibility in exam modes: Regarding NEET, the decision on the mode of the exam - computer-based or pen-and-paper - will rest with the Health Ministry, with the NTA acting as a service provider.

Conclusion:

• The proposed reforms mark a significant shift towards ensuring fairness and efficiency in national entrance tests.
• By adopting an election-style framework and leveraging technology, the government aims to restore trust in the examination system and safeguard its integrity.