NTA reduces expert tenures amid 'big mafia' threat over paper leaks

The NTA is cutting experts' tenures, splitting paper-setting work and locking down sensitive access. The overhaul follows paper leaks, delays and errors that the parliamentary panel said hurt candidate confidence.

In Short

• Officials said organised networks were trying to compromise people in exam processes
• Sensitive information will now be shared strictly on a need-to-know basis
• Question preparation tasks will be split across writing, moderation, translation and vetting

In a major overhaul of its examination system, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is tightening security around competitive exams, including by shortening subject experts’ tenure amid concerns over organised attempts to compromise them.

A senior NTA official told The Indian Express that the agency was dealing with what it described as a “big mafia” seeking to compromise people involved in the examination process.

As part of the wider overhaul, the NTA is also restricting access to sensitive information on a strict need-to-know basis, dividing question-paper preparation among separate teams and introducing multiple layers of physical and digital security.

The agency has also removed around 600 experts and will induct 20–25 officials over the next two to three weeks. The changes are aimed at limiting who gets access to sensitive examination processes, for how long and at which stage, as the NTA seeks to strengthen the integrity of high-stakes examinations and restore candidate confidence.

EXPERT TENURES TO BE CURTAILED

The official said the NTA was looking at limiting how long subject experts remain associated with the examination process. The move is based on the assessment that prolonged engagement could increase the risk of experts being targeted or compromised.

The agency is also moving towards a strict need-to-know model, under which sensitive information will not be shared in full even among people working within the system. Officials said certain information, strategies and capabilities would deliberately remain restricted.

The official further said the new security framework would operate at two levels. At the first level, question-paper preparation will be divided among separate teams, with different people responsible for writing, moderating, translating and finally vetting the questions.

PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL SECURITY

The second level will focus on securing the people and systems involved in the process. Personnel entering examination-related facilities will be physically frisked and their credentials verified. Their electronic devices will also be checked.

The NTA plans to use “air-gapped” computer systems for sensitive operations. These systems are completely isolated from unsecured external networks, including the public internet, making remote access considerably more difficult.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which specialises in security and frisking, is also being deployed to strengthen security at key premises.

The NTA is also implementing a four-tier question-paper checking system, replacing around 600 experts and strengthening security at its premises through CISF deployment and tighter controls over examination-related operations.

600 EXPERTS REMOVED UNDER NEW PLAN

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh had earlier announced the four-tier security system, along with the removal of around 600 existing experts and the onboarding of a new pool of specialists.

The agency has already tested parts of the new system during the recent CSIR examination and the NEET re-examination. The model is now being institutionalised across NTA examinations.

OVERHAUL FOLLOWS SERIES OF EXAMINATION FAILURES

The changes come after repeated problems with examinations conducted by the NTA.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, in its 371st Report submitted in 2025, noted that five of the 14 competitive examinations conducted by the NTA in 2024 faced major problems.

UGC-NET, CSIR-NET and NEET-PG had to be postponed, while NEET-UG was hit by instances of paper leaks. Results for CUET-UG/PG were also delayed. The committee also highlighted errors in JEE Main 2025, where at least 12 questions had to be withdrawn following mistakes in the final answer key.

A BID TO RESTORE CANDIDATE CONFIDENCE

The parliamentary panel had warned that repeated leaks, errors and delays were damaging candidates’ confidence in the examination system and urged the NTA to urgently strengthen its processes.

The latest overhaul seeks to address those vulnerabilities by reducing prolonged access, dividing responsibilities, restricting information and strengthening physical and digital security. The real test, however, will be whether these measures can consistently prevent leaks and errors in the high-stakes examinations conducted by the agency.

- Ends