Centre sacks 47 NTA officials; overhaul after NEET leak row gets underway
The government has begun a shake-up of the National Testing Agency following the NEET-UG controversy, with 47 officials terminated and structural reforms in the works. The Supreme Court has sought answers from the reform panel chief.
The National Testing Agency after the terminations begin.
The Centre has initiated a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA) after the NEET-UG paper leak row, with 47 officials terminated and further structural reforms planned, according to multiple reports. Business Today reported the terminations on Wednesday as part of a broader clean-up, while other outlets said more changes are imminent.
The move follows sustained scrutiny from the Supreme Court, which has pulled up the NTA over alleged irregularities and asked the chair of the 2024 reform panel to report on progress and transparency measures. ThePrint reported the court sought answers from K. Radhakrishnan, former ISRO chief who heads the high-powered committee on exam reforms.
Alongside personnel action, the government is preparing tighter safeguards around exam conduct. Regional reports and business media have indicated the overhaul will include changes to outsourcing and security protocols at various stages of exam delivery. The NTA has previously denied that the integrity of NEET-UG 2024 was compromised, calling leak claims baseless in public statements. Further official details of the reform package and timelines have not been published.