NEW DELHI: Stepping in to overhaul the country’s embattled examination system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the constitution of a high-powered task force on examination reforms. The panel will be spearheaded by world-renowned technology expert and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
The primary mandate of the task force is to recommend structural and technological changes to ensure the credibility of upcoming competitive examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
‘Looking to the Future’
In a video message posted on X, the Prime Minister highlighted that the government is continuously taking strict measures to protect the future of students, noting that those responsible for tampering with recent exams are already languishing in jail.
“We have already established fast-track courts. We are also moving towards enacting new legislation in Parliament that incorporates stringent legal provisions,” PM Modi stated.
Emphasizing the absolute necessity of modernization, he added, “However, we must look to the future. Our examination system needs to be reliable and transparent, and it must make maximum use of technology. Keeping all these factors in mind, we have decided to constitute a high-powered task force under the leadership of the world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani.”
A Multidisciplinary Expert Panel
The government has assembled a multidisciplinary group of domain experts to assist in revamping the NTA, focusing on both cybersecurity and logistical planning. According to official statements, alongside Nilekani, the task force comprises:
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S. Somnath: Former ISRO Chairman and space scientist.
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Tapan Deka: Former Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
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V. Kamakoti: Director of IIT Madras and cybersecurity expert.
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Anita Karwal: Former Education Secretary.
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Amrit Lal Meena: Logistics expert.
The panel’s recommendations will directly shape the structural reforms required to make national-level entrance examinations secure and leak-proof.
Pralhad Joshi Takes Charge of Education Ministry
Meanwhile, amid the ongoing restructuring, senior leader Pralhad Joshi officially assumed the additional charge of the Union Education Ministry on Sunday.
Joshi steps into the role following the resignation of former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who stepped down taking moral responsibility for the recent NEET-UG paper leak controversy. Joshi will concurrently hold his existing portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.
Taking to X, Joshi expressed his gratitude: “Today, I assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education. I am grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for placing his faith in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. I accept it with humility and a deep sense of duty.”
