Supreme Court may inspect NTA offices over exam security

The Supreme Court of India has indicated it may personally visit the National Testing Agency (NTA) offices to inspect the effectiveness of new security measures and examination systems. This follows concerns regarding paper leaks in the NEET-UG examinations. A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe emphasized that reforms must be more than just documented procedures; the court seeks to verify if the systems are functional on the ground and supported by adequate manpower.

The court has directed the NTA to publish a detailed affidavit on its website outlining the progress of its institutional reforms. There is a specific focus on the need for permanent staff and specialized human resources to ensure the reliability of national-level examinations, rather than relying on temporary measures.

Additionally, the Solicitor General informed the court that the high-level committee led by Nandan Nilekani is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders. The committee is expected to submit its report by the end of the month. The NTA is reportedly transitioning toward a functional and expertise-based structure, which includes moving sensitive offices to a secure government complex in Delhi.