# India NTA testing and reform crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-nta-testing-crisis > Updated: 2026-08-18T16:52:24.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 4. In late July 2026, the autonomous National Testing Agency (NTA) announced a recruitment drive for four contractual General Managers and 16 young-professional positions through the Union Public Service Commission's Pratibha Setu portal. These roles—spanning assessment research, test-center operations, information security, vigilance, and legal or financial research—form part of a restructuring plan following paper-leak scandals surrounding the NEET-UG exam. This crisis led to the dismissal of 47 NTA officials, the cancellation of the May 3 exam, and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. A week after the recruitment announcement, large-scale protests erupted. Candidates and families demanded accountability for leaks, score-tabulation errors, and student suicides linked to the agency’s failures. The movement, which lasted 36 days and included a three-week hunger strike at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was notable for the involvement of Gen-Z activists. In response to the unrest, the government accepted the minister's resignation, pledged compensation to the families of deceased students, and established a high-powered reform committee chaired by tech entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani. By mid-August 2026, the NTA expanded its recruitment efforts to include specialized roles such as a Video Editor cum Graphic Designer, Data Analyst, and English Content Writer to support its institutional rebuild. Following a meeting chaired by Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, the Ministry of Education announced a major overhaul to improve transparency. This includes removing 600 experts from the agency's team, implementing a ‘four-tier question paper checking system’, and relocating NTA offices to Minto Road in New Delhi on a ‘war footing’. To enhance physical security, the agency will be protected by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Concurrently, the Supreme Court of India is hearing petitions seeking reforms to the NTA. ## Claims - The National Testing Agency (NTA) has removed approximately 600 experts and is onboarding new ones. (corroborated by 10 sources) - NTA offices will be relocated to Minto Road with security provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). (corroborated by 10 sources) - A four-tier question paper checking system will be implemented to improve scrutiny. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Between 20 and 25 new officials will be inducted into the NTA within the next two to three weeks. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The Supreme Court emphasized the need to institutionalize the NTA to prevent future question paper leaks. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: National Testing Agency revamps team and security following exam controversies The National Testing Agency is revamping its operations by removing 600 experts, implementing a four-tier paper-checking system, and relocating offices with enhanced CISF security following exam controversies. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-testing-agency-to-undergo-major-overhaul-and-security-revamp ### 2026-08-09: National Testing Agency announces recruitment for various professional roles The National Testing Agency (NTA) is recruiting for various roles, including a General Manager and 16 Young Professionals to support high-stakes exams like JEE and NEET. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-testing-agency-announces-recruitment-for-various-professional-roles ### 2026-07-31: India's National Testing Agency crisis prompts minister resignation Protests over NTA exam failures led to the education minister's resignation, a reform committee headed by Nandan Nilekani, and compensation for families of student suicides in India. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-national-testing-agency-crisis-prompts-minister-resignation ### 2026-07-25: India's National Testing Agency launches recruitment of four General Managers and 16 young professionals India's NTA will recruit four General Managers and 16 young professionals via UPSC's portal, reshaping key roles after NEET‑UG paper leaks, staff dismissals and the education minister’s resignation. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-nta-tackles-neet-exam-fallout-and-launches-staff-hires --- Cite as: India NTA testing and reform crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-nta-testing-crisis