Parliamentary Committee Critiques NTA's Operations Amid Scandals
The Congress party urges the Modi government to heed a Parliamentary report criticizing the National Testing Agency for incompetence and malpractice.
A Parliamentary Standing Committee report highlights serious issues within the NTA and Ministry of Education.
The report claims there have been nine paper leaks in NTA exams since its inception in 2017.
Congress demands accountability and legislative reforms to improve NTA's operations.
On October 11, 2026, the Congress party publicly criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) following a report from a Parliamentary Standing Committee that detailed significant incompetence and malpractice within the agency and the Ministry of Education. The party expressed hope that the Modi government would take the findings seriously, especially given the limited time left in its term.
The report, titled "Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA)," was presented by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik. It accused the Ministry of Education of making a "blatantly false" claim that no paper leaks had occurred in NTA exams since the agency's establishment in 2017. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh emphasized that there have been at least nine documented instances of paper leaks and irregularities, questioning the Ministry's refusal to acknowledge these issues.
Ramesh pointed out that the NTA operates as a society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, lacking the statutory framework that would ensure greater accountability and oversight. He criticized the agency's structure, which relies heavily on private contractors for examination processes, and noted that out of 39 sanctioned positions, only 23 are currently filled, resulting in a 41% vacancy rate. This situation, according to Ramesh, hinders the development of institutional expertise and transparency.
The implications of the report are significant, as it calls for a legislative framework to ensure the NTA's accountability to Parliament. The Committee's findings highlight the need for reforms, especially in light of the recent NEET (UG) 2026 exam cancellation due to paper leak allegations. The report stresses that trust in the NTA's examination processes is crucial for social justice and national integrity.
Looking ahead, the Congress party is urging the Modi government to act on the Committee's recommendations before its term ends. The call for a comprehensive review of the NTA's operations and accountability measures is seen as essential to restoring public confidence in the agency's ability to conduct fair and transparent examinations.
