Parliamentary panel criticizes NTA over exam management failures

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has issued a scathing assessment of the National Test Agency (NTA), citing widespread operational failures in its management of major national examinations. The committee's report documented nine instances of question paper leaks and flagged a revenue surplus of ₹590 crore that remained unused despite the agency's mandate to support students.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the findings represented "grave incompetence and malpractice" at the agency responsible for conducting critical entrance examinations for millions of Indian students. The report underscores mounting concerns about the NTA's institutional capacity to administer high-stakes tests with the integrity and efficiency expected by the public.

The committee's indictment comes amid growing criticism of the NTA following several high-profile exam irregularities in recent months. Ramesh called on the government to take the parliamentary panel's findings seriously and implement necessary reforms to restore confidence in the examination system.

The accumulated surplus and operational shortcomings raise questions about resource allocation and institutional governance at an agency entrusted with evaluating hundreds of thousands of students annually for university admissions and professional programs. The committee's recommendations are expected to guide policy decisions on strengthening the NTA's administrative framework and oversight mechanisms.