Business

NTA overhauls exam system with four-tier checks

By Sohail Khan 18 August 2026, 9:09 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty24,154.90-132.75

FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth

5Y Return
23.3 %

Invest Now

Enter search text:

Business News›News›India›After paper leak turmoil, NTA overhauls exam system with four-tier checks

Read Today's Paper

After paper leak turmoil, NTA overhauls exam system with four-tier checks

Synopsis

The National Testing Agency is implementing significant changes to its examination system. Around 600 experts have been removed and new ones are being onboarded. A four-tier checking system for question papers will be introduced to enhance scrutiny. NTA offices will relocate to new premises with strengthened security measures. These steps aim to ensure the smooth and reliable conduct of competitive examinations.

Listen to this article in summarized format

Loading…
×
×

Unlock AI Briefing and Premium Content

New Year Offer 24 Hours Left
Already a member? Sign In

What's Included

Exclusive Stories
Daily ePaper Access
Smart Market Tools
Curated Investment Ideas
Ad-lite Experience
Subscription

CHECK IT NOW — The NTA has removed around 600 experts from its examination team and begun onboarding new experts as part of the revamp.

Amid growing concerns and repeated instances of paper leaks raising questions over the security and reliability of competitive examinations, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is undertaking a major overhaul of its examination system, including a revamp of its question-paper setting process and tighter security at its offices.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi directed the NTA to put in place all necessary security and infrastructure measures to ensure the smooth conduct of examinations, the Ministry of Education said in a X post on Tuesday.

The NTA has removed around 600 experts from its examination team and begun onboarding new experts as part of the revamp. It will also introduce a four-tier checking system for question papers to strengthen scrutiny and reduce the chances of errors.

The agency plans to induct another 20-25 officials over the next two to three weeks, with a further recruitment plan also reviewed by the ministry.

Also Read | CBI finds NEET-UG 2026 paper leak involved 3 NTA experts, multi-state conspiracy

The NTA's offices will also be shifted to new premises on a “war footing”, with security to be strengthened through the deployment of CISF teams.

— EduMinOfIndia (@EduMinOfIndia)

The overhaul comes amid scrutiny of the NTA after it ordered a retest for UGC-NET June 2026 in English, Sociology and Commerce following errors in the question papers. It also follows the CBI's findings in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, in which NTA subject experts were allegedly involved in accessing and sharing confidential examination material.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has concluded that the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was the result of a well-organised, multi-state criminal conspiracy in which confidential examination questions were allegedly leaked by National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts and passed through a chain of intermediaries to candidates in exchange for huge sums of money.

According to the chargesheet, the leaked questions were circulated through a chain of intermediaries and exchanged on platforms including Telegram and WhatsApp. The CBI said forensic analysis of seized mobile phones, pen drives and other devices uncovered PDF and image files containing the leaked questions, along with chats and other digital evidence tracing their movement among the accused. The agency has alleged that the papers were sold to candidates for large sums, with one deal involving an alleged payment of Rs 25 lakh.

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
NTA exam system overhaulpaper leak concernssecurity measures for examsNTA recruitment planquestion paper setting processPralhad JoshiCISF deployment

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year