New Delhi, Amid a row over irregularities in the NEET and NET competitive exams, the Education Ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA). ).
"Transparent, manipulation-free and error-free examinations are a commitment. The creation of a high-level expert committee is the first in a series of steps to improve the efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and review and reform the NTA,” said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
"The interests of students and their bright future will always be the top priority of our government," he added.
The ministry's notification comes two days after Pradhan announced the setting up of the committee.
The panel will make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of the NTA. He is supposed to submit his report within two months.
The panel also includes former AIIMS Delhi director Randeep Guleria, Hyderabad Central University vice-chancellor B J Rao, IIT Madras Department of Civil Engineering professor emeritus K Ramamurthy, People Strong co-founder and board member Karmayogi Bharat director Pankaj Bansal to IIT Delhi. Dean of Student Affairs Aditya Mittal and Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education Govind Jaiswal.
"The panel will analyze the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve the efficiency of the system and prevent any potential breaches. It will carry out a comprehensive review of the NTA's standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols, and" "We suggest measures to strengthen these procedures and protocols along with monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at all levels," the Ministry of Education said in a statement.
The committee has also been tasked with examining the existing security protocols related to setting up documents and other processes for different exams and making recommendations to improve the robustness of the system.
The NTA, which is under fire for lapses in the conduct of NEET and UGC-NET, is preparing to conduct a fresh test for the medical entrance exam on Sunday for 1,563 candidates who were earlier given grace marks to compensate the loss of time in six centers.
While the NEET medical exam is under scrutiny for several irregularities, including alleged leaks, the UGC-NET was canceled a day after it was conducted when the ministry received information that the integrity of the exam was compromised.
"Transparent, manipulation-free and error-free examinations are a commitment. The creation of a high-level expert committee is the first in a series of steps to improve the efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and review and reform the NTA,” said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
"The interests of students and their bright future will always be the top priority of our government," he added.
The ministry's notification comes two days after Pradhan announced the setting up of the committee.
The panel will make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of the NTA. He is supposed to submit his report within two months.
The panel also includes former AIIMS Delhi director Randeep Guleria, Hyderabad Central University vice-chancellor B J Rao, IIT Madras Department of Civil Engineering professor emeritus K Ramamurthy, People Strong co-founder and board member Karmayogi Bharat director Pankaj Bansal to IIT Delhi. Dean of Student Affairs Aditya Mittal and Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Education Govind Jaiswal.
"The panel will analyze the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve the efficiency of the system and prevent any potential breaches. It will carry out a comprehensive review of the NTA's standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocols, and" "We suggest measures to strengthen these procedures and protocols along with monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance at all levels," the Ministry of Education said in a statement.
The committee has also been tasked with examining the existing security protocols related to setting up documents and other processes for different exams and making recommendations to improve the robustness of the system.
The NTA, which is under fire for lapses in the conduct of NEET and UGC-NET, is preparing to conduct a fresh test for the medical entrance exam on Sunday for 1,563 candidates who were earlier given grace marks to compensate the loss of time in six centers.
While the NEET medical exam is under scrutiny for several irregularities, including alleged leaks, the UGC-NET was canceled a day after it was conducted when the ministry received information that the integrity of the exam was compromised.
