NTA Under Scrutiny for Examination Irregularities

Context:

With widespread allegations of cheating, paper leaks, and other irregularities impacting flagship examinations such as the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), the National Testing Agency (NTA) has come under intense fire.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. The National Testing Agency (NTA)
2. Issues Faced by the NTA
3. Recommendations for Reforming India’s Examination Process
4. NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test)

The National Testing Agency (NTA)

• Background:
  • In 2010, a committee of IIT directors proposed creating an autonomous and transparent testing body, inspired by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) of the US.
  • Before the NTA, entities like the UGC, CBSE, and central universities such as Delhi University and JNU conducted their own entrance exams.
• About NTA:
  • Established in 2017, it operates as a specialist, self-sustaining, and autonomous organization under the Union Ministry of Education.
  • Registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
• Objectives:
  • Address challenges in assessing candidates’ competence, adhering to international standards, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and error-free delivery.
  • Conduct efficient and transparent tests, research and development, and expert collaboration information dissemination.

Functions:

• Conducting Exams: Administering entrance examinations for higher educational institutions.
• Creating Question Banks: Developing a question bank using modern techniques.
• Research and Development: Establishing a strong research and development culture.
• Collaborations: Working with international organizations like ETS (Educational Testing Services).
• Other Exams: Undertaking any other examination entrusted by the Ministries or Departments of Government of India/State Governments.

Examinations Conducted:

• JEE (Main), NEET-UG, Common Management Admission Test (CMAT), Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT), and University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET).
• The National Education Policy 2020 recommended a broader role for the NTA, suggesting it conduct entrance or aptitude tests for all universities across the country.
• Currently, the NTA oversees more than 20 examinations.

Administration:

• The director general and governing body are appointed by the Union government.
• The core team includes test item writers, researchers, psychometricians, and education specialists.
• Operates six verticals, each focusing on different examinations, employing about six researchers per vertical, including internationally recognized experts.

Issues Faced by the NTA

• Computer-Based Tests:
  • Ensures high volume processing within a short period.
  • Due to the National Informatics Centre’s (NIC) lack of capacity, third-party technical partners are engaged, which can lead to accountability issues and exploitation by unscrupulous players.
• Outsourced Functions:
  • Initially set up with only 25 permanent staff positions, relying heavily on outsourced technical partners.
  • This setup can lead to potential malpractice at various stages, including question paper setting and encryption, selection of printing presses and exam centers, transportation, storage, distribution, and answer sheet collection and evaluation.
• Incidents and Criticisms:
  • Faced criticism for awarding grace marks to 1,563 NEET candidates due to delays, leading to accusations of inflated marks and 67 candidates sharing the top rank.
  • Integrity issues in NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams due to alleged leaks and breaches.

Recommendations for Reforming India’s Examination Process

• K. Radhakrishnan Committee:
  • Formed to recommend reforms in the examination process, improve data security protocols, and overhaul the NTA’s functioning.
• Equipping for Pen-and-Paper Examinations:
  • Necessary for equitable access, particularly for students in rural and remote areas with limited technology access.
• Decentralized Structures:
  • Needed to address the vastly differing needs of institutions.
• Radical Reform of the Assessment System:
  • Includes periodic assessments of knowledge, concept-based understanding, and incorporating aptitude tests in the final years of school as a precursor to the admission process.

NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test):

• Purpose: NEET is an entrance examination for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical courses (MBBS/BDS) and postgraduate courses (MD/MS) in government or private medical colleges.
• Objective: To standardize the admission process for medical and dental courses across India, ensuring a uniform evaluation of candidates’ eligibility.
• Conducted by: The NTA conducts NEET on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

-Source: The Hindu