SBI Research Proposes Dedicated Law and Expert Board to Reform National Testing Agency

SBI Research has proposed a dedicated parliamentary law, an independent expert board and structural changes for the National Testing Agency following recent scrutiny over large-scale entrance examinations.

Current Setup

The National Testing Agency is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, having been registered in May 2018. Since its inception, the body has conducted over 240 examinations involving more than 5.4 crore candidates up to July 2024, covering major tests like JEE Main and NEET UG. Data examined by SBI Research shows that out of 194 disclosed personnel in July 2024, 171 workers were contractual or outsourced, making up about 88 percent of that workforce. The Ministry of Education provides policy direction and funding, while the Director General serves as chief executive and also heads both the General Body and Management Committee.

Proposed Reforms

The research report suggests enacting a separate NTA Act through Parliament to clearly define the agency's institutional role, governance, reporting duties and responsibilities. Another key proposal is creating an NTA Board consisting of independent experts in technology, assessment, security, logistics and accessibility. This board would monitor vendors and approve examination readiness while separating oversight from day-to-day administration managed by the Director General. The recommendations also call for building a permanent professional team to reduce reliance on outsourced staff and external agencies, alongside setting up an independent Standards and Appeals Body to audit controls and hear serious administrative appeals.

Transparency Measures

The proposed changes include a Candidate Charter with fixed timelines for answer-key challenges, score corrections, re-tests and accessibility issues. The report also recommends greater financial transparency through exam-wise accounts, Comptroller and Auditor General audits, and public reporting on examination incidents and vendor performance.

Context

Calls for reforming testing bodies typically arise when high-stakes public examinations face logistical challenges, security questions, or technology failures that affect millions of students. Independent research reports and expert panels often review institutional frameworks, vendor oversight, and legal mandates to recommend systemic improvements for large government organizations.