New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated a comprehensive institutional overhaul amid the ongoing nationwide protests over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy. As part of the reforms, the agency has terminated 47 officials, announced recruitment for four senior General Manager-level positions, and opened engagement for 16 Young Professionals through the Union Public Service Commission’s (UPSC) Pratibha Setu portal.
The latest measures come just a day after Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi was shifted to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and are being projected as the first concrete steps towards restructuring the country’s premier examination agency.
Reforms Based on K. Radhakrishnan Committee Recommendations
According to an official release issued by the Ministry of Education, the appointments form the first phase of the institutional rebuilding exercise being undertaken in line with the recommendations of the High-Level Committee of Experts headed by former ISRO Chairman Prof. K. Radhakrishnan.
The reforms are aimed at strengthening NTA’s academic, technological, operational and integrity frameworks following widespread criticism over examination management.
Four General Manager-Level Posts Notified
The NTA has advertised four contract-based General Manager positions, each for an initial tenure of three years.
General Manager – Assessment Research & Development and Psychometrics
The officer will lead NTA’s academic assessment and measurement science division, overseeing:
- Development of question banks
- Normalisation methodologies
- Equating and calibration processes
- Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT)
- AI-assisted assessment systems
Candidates must possess a PhD in Psychometrics, Educational Measurement, Statistics or related disciplines along with at least 12 years of post-doctoral experience, including five years in senior leadership positions in testing organisations.
General Manager – Test Centre Network & Operations
The position will supervise NTA’s nationwide examination infrastructure spread across more than 500 cities in India and selected international centres.
Key responsibilities include:
- Test centre empanelment
- Capacity planning
- Accessibility for PwBD candidates
- Examination-day management
- Coordination with State and District administrations
- Centre quality, hygiene and amenities
Applicants should have experience managing multi-location operational networks comprising at least 200 centres.
General Manager – Information Security
Designated as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), this official will head NTA’s cyber-security ecosystem.
Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with:
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- CERT-In guidelines
The role also involves operating a 24×7 Security Operations Centre (SOC).
Candidates should possess at least 12 years of information security experience, including five years in senior leadership roles, along with certifications such as CISSP, CISM or CISA.
General Manager – Vigilance, Investigation & Forensics
The fourth General Manager will oversee NTA’s vigilance and internal investigations.
The responsibilities include:
- Investigating examination malpractices
- Building an in-house digital forensics capability
- Coordinating with agencies including the CBI, Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate, State Police and Cyber Crime units
- Handling cases under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
Applicants should have at least 15 years of investigation, vigilance or law enforcement experience.
NTA Engages Young Professionals Through UPSC Pratibha Setu
For the first time, NTA is recruiting Young Professionals through UPSC’s Pratibha Setu portal.
The engagement is open to candidates who appeared in the Civil Services Examination and are listed on the Pratibha Setu platform.
A total of 16 positions have been announced:
- 12 Young Professionals for Academic Research
- 2 Young Professionals for Legal Research
- 2 Young Professionals for Finance & Accounts
The selected candidates will serve in NTA’s Academic, Legal and Finance divisions on a consolidated monthly remuneration for an initial period of 24 months, extendable up to 36 months based on performance.
Expression of Interest for Subject Experts
Apart from these appointments, NTA has also invited fresh Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for empanelling Subject Matter Experts and Translators.
The move is intended to strengthen examination content development and multilingual assessment capabilities.
The agency said recruitment across the ten functional verticals recommended by the High-Level Committee will continue in the coming weeks.
47 Officials Terminated Amid NEET Crisis
In a parallel administrative action, the NTA has terminated 47 officials as part of its internal clean-up exercise.
According to senior government sources, legal and criminal proceedings are also being initiated against some of the officials.
“The NTA is set to undergo an overhaul and more reformative measures will follow. At least 47 officials have been terminated, and legal and criminal action will be initiated against some of them,” a senior official said.
The development comes amid widespread public anger over the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and reported glitches in CBSE’s digital evaluation system.
NEET Protest Continues
Student organisations have continued protests demanding accountability and examination reforms. Large demonstrations are currently underway at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and several other locations across the country.
The latest administrative overhaul signals the government’s attempt to restore credibility and strengthen governance within the National Testing Agency.
