Nilekani panel meets former ISRO chief for exam reforms

The high-powered task force led by Nandan Nilekani has consulted former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan to discuss changes to national testing systems.

Panel Consultations

The reform panel was set up in July to suggest improvements for tests held by the National Testing Agency, known as the NTA. Officials stated that the group is preparing its first interim report, which the government told the Supreme Court is likely to arrive by the end of September. The panel has also invited feedback from students, parents, teachers, schools, subject experts, industry groups and exam bodies. Nilekani's team has already met with NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and officials from the Department of Higher Education.

Radhakrishnan Committee

Radhakrishnan previously headed a seven-member panel formed in June 2024 after the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. That earlier committee submitted its report in October 2024 with 101 suggestions covering question-paper management, registration, fee payment, admit cards, computer-based testing, OMR processing, normalisation and result systems. It also suggested restructuring the NTA so its role focuses mainly on entrance tests for higher education, alongside updates to governance, security and digital tools. The Centre later formed a steering committee, also led by Radhakrishnan, to oversee how those changes are put into action.

Task Force Members

Aside from Nandan Nilekani, the seven-member reform group includes former ISRO chairman S Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras director V Kamakoti, former education secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena. Government officials noted that the ongoing review aims to make exam processes robust, secure, transparent, trustworthy and future-ready by using better technology.

Context

These examination reforms gained urgency following the cancellation and re-examination of the May 3 NEET-UG test. The Supreme Court has also asked the Centre for details on carrying out the earlier Radhakrishnan panel recommendations and stressed the need for a permanent staff structure at the NTA.