NTA Exam Security Reforms After NEET Leak: CISF Deployment, AI Monitoring and New Measures

Following the NEET UG paper leak, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will be reinforcing their examination system through better security, staffing, SOPs and technology.

The government provided information about these reforms in the form of an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court. These reforms are among the changes suggested by the Committee headed by K Radhakrishnan, following the controversy surrounding NEET UG 2024 regarding examination security.

These reforms include improvements in the structure of NTA, examination security, specialized professionals and technology.

NTA Governance Structure to Be Strengthened

Under the structural reforms, NTA is being reorganised in such a manner that it becomes a functional-vertical structure. The purpose of this approach is to have specialists in various domains of examination management.

Previously, NTA personnel were structured in accordance with certain examinations. Now, the focus would be to have specialists in certain operational domains.

In its submission before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, it was reported that NTA is recruiting domain experts in fields including:

• Technology
• Human Resource
• Assessment Research & Development
• Test Centres
• Candidate Experience
• Information Security
• Test Security
• Vigilance

Selection for such professional posts is underway now.

New Leadership and Expert Team at NTA

The Centre has appointed a secretary level officer as the Director General (DG) of NTA to head the restructuring exercise.

Upgrading the position of DG and also the creation of other senior positions is being thought by the government to improve the administration of the agency.

Some of the officers belonging to various services have been appointed to provide specialisation to NTA. These include officers belonging to the following services:

• Indian Administrative Service (IAS)
• Indian Police Service (IPS)
• Indian Revenue Service (IRS)
• Indian Statistical Service
• Others

The Centre mentioned that the objective behind all this is to form a multidisciplinary team to improve examination management.

NTA Security Measures Strengthened

To make the process of confidential examinations more secure, an allocation of the new office to NTA has been made in the Government of India Press premises, Minto Road, New Delhi.

The Centre said that all the confidential activities have been moved to the secure government premises. The new office arrangement will certainly prove helpful in securing the examination process.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also extended security coverage to the new office of NTA.

In total, 39 CISF members have been assigned for:

• Access control
• Security check
• Verification of visitors
• Checking of baggage using X-rays
• Checks with Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD)

AI Monitoring and Technology-Based Security Measures

NTA has adopted many technological means to increase examination security. These include:

• Aadhaar Authentication
• Face Authentication
• CCTV Surveillance
• AI Surveillance
• Mobile Jammers
• Data Analysis for suspicious activities
• Multilevel Monitoring Systems

NTA is also formulating improved security measures for confidential examination centers.

New SOPs for Examination Process

The Centre said NTA has prepared Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for important stages of the examination process.

These SOPs cover:

The complete SOP document has not been made public due to security reasons.

NTA Considering Computer-Based NEET UG Exam

The High Power Task Force (HPTF) is also considering the potential move of NEET UG from conventional paper-based format to computer-based test (CBT) format. The committee is looking into a number of aspects, including:

• Effect on candidates from rural areas
• Effect on women candidates
• Internet infrastructure available to candidates
• Establishment of CBT centres all over the country

Some of the other aspects under consideration include governance of NTA, student support and a plan for future reforms.

Conclusion

After all the worries about exam safety, there are big reforms going on in NTA. These include better governance, specialized teams, CISF security, AI surveillance, better SOP and technology-based solutions.

The government has said that all these steps have been taken to make the system safer and transparent for future national-level exams.

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