Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced the formation of a high-powered task force to recommend comprehensive reforms in the examination system, a move aimed at addressing recurring issues of paper leaks and malpractices. The task force, comprising experts from education, administration, and technology, will submit its report within three months.
Task force composition and mandate
The task force will be chaired by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K. Radhakrishnan and includes 10 members, including senior officials from the Ministry of Education, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and the National Testing Agency (NTA). Its mandate includes reviewing the entire examination ecosystem, from school boards to competitive exams, and suggesting structural changes to ensure fairness, security, and efficiency.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the panel will focus on three key areas: strengthening IT infrastructure to prevent leaks, standardizing exam processes across states, and establishing a robust grievance redressal mechanism. The task force will also examine the feasibility of conducting multiple exam sessions to reduce crowd management issues.
Impact on students and stakeholders
The announcement comes amid widespread protests and demands for reforms after several high-profile exam paper leaks, including the NEET-UG and UGC NET controversies in 2024. Over 1.5 crore students appear annually in major entrance exams, with leak incidents affecting trust in the system. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "The task force will work with all stakeholders to ensure a robust and transparent system that upholds the integrity of examinations."
Student groups welcomed the move but called for swift implementation. "We hope the recommendations are binding and enforced quickly to prevent future disruptions," said a spokesperson from the All India Students' Association.
Previous reforms and way forward
In the past, the government has implemented measures such as the introduction of computer-based testing and Aadhaar-based biometric verification. However, leaks persisted, prompting the need for a comprehensive overhaul. The task force is expected to submit an interim report within 45 days, with the final report including a roadmap for digitization and decentralization of exam processes.
