Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Ministry of Education has announced a series of measures to overhaul the National Testing Agency (NTA), with Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi directing stricter adherence to examination protocols, a revamp of confidential operations and a comprehensive audit of all exam processes following recent UGC NET-related issues.
Joshi held a review meeting with the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, the NTA Director General and other senior officials to assess the steps being taken to strengthen the agency’s overall functioning and examination security.
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The reforms also include changes to the NTA’s leadership structure and the recruitment of specialised professionals in key areas.
OVER 50 NTA STAFF REMOVED
According to the Ministry of Education, more than 50 staff members have been removed from the NTA as part of the ongoing reforms. The move is among several measures aimed at restructuring the agency and strengthening accountability.
The ministry said the NTA is also introducing a new professional leadership structure to improve its technical, financial, security and examination capabilities.
Moreover, the education ministry also informed that ten specialised leadership positions have been advertised and are currently being filled. These include posts such as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, General Manager for Test Security and General Manager for Research and Development and Psychometrics.
The new positions are intended to bring greater professional expertise into the agency and strengthen its ability to conduct large-scale examinations securely and efficiently.
PRIVATE-SECTOR EXPERTS TO JOIN NTA REFORMS
The ministry said domain specialists from the private sector are also being brought in for specialised areas, including cyber-security, psychometrics and question-paper design.
The move is aimed at strengthening the agency’s technical capabilities and introducing specialised expertise into critical stages of the examination process.
Joshi has directed the NTA to implement a complete overhaul of its Confidential Operations (CONOPS) architecture on a war footing.
The directions include strengthening secluded rooms, deploying air-gapped systems and ensuring strict compliance with device-deposit protocols. The measures are intended to reduce the risk of unauthorised access and improve the security of confidential examination materials.
STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH EXAM PROTOCOLS
The minister has also instructed officials to ensure strict adherence to established examination protocols at every stage of the testing process. The NTA has been directed to identify gaps in existing procedures and implement corrective measures to prevent similar issues in future examinations.
As part of the overhaul, the NTA has been directed to conduct a comprehensive audit of all examination processes.
The agency will have to submit a report detailing the corrective action taken following the audit. The review is expected to cover examination security, confidential operations and other critical processes involved in conducting national-level examinations.
The latest measures come as the government seeks to strengthen the credibility, security and reliability of examinations conducted by the NTA and restore confidence in the agency’s examination system.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
