The National Testing Agency (NTA) has relocated its operations to a new office due to significant controversies surrounding the NEET paper leak and various administrative failures. To enhance security, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now oversee security measures in the agency’s confidential areas. This move aims to ensure the integrity of its operations and restore public confidence in the examination process.
The move comes after the question paper leak of medical entrance exam NEET-UG earlier this year, which sparked nationwide student protests and led to the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
A day after Pradhan’s resignation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the constitution of a high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms to make the exam system leakproof. The panel is yet to submit its report. The Home Ministry has approved Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security cover for the premises,” the official added.
Set up in 2017 under the Ministry of Education, to conduct fair, transparent and standardised examinations, the NTA was so far operating from its office in Okhla. “A dedicated over 55,000 square feet office space has been allotted in the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road. Sharing the details, the official said 39 CISF personnel have been deployed who will be responsible for security, appropriate access-control and screening measures, including frisking using X-ray baggage screening machine and Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs).
Which identified three subject experts as primary sources of the paper leak, there was no checking or frisking of experts during entry or exit from the confidential section at the National Testing Agency (NTA), allowing the experts to take briefs from designed question papers on small chits, made out of plain sheets provided to them for rough work and translation, according to a CBI chargesheet. The fifth floor and parts of fourth and sixth floor of the said building have been allotted to the National Testing Agency. Confidential and sensitive operations have been shifted in the last one month to the newly allotted building,” a senior official told PTI. On the plan for monitoring at the new premises, the official said, “Confidential areas have been demarcated in the building where the movement and operations will be strictly monitored to ensure that a foolproof system is in place.
