NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education has made the K Radhakrishnan Committee Report public six months after it was submitted in October 2024. It is a major step toward restoring credibility and transparency in national-level entrance examinations. The report, drafted in response to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy, proposes many reforms aimed at transforming the examination process in India.
The seven-member panel, headed by former ISRO chairman Dr. K Radhakrishnan, was constituted in June 2024 to review the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). With growing concerns over exam leaks and mismanagement, the committee was tasked with reinforcing the integrity, fairness, and technological security of high-stakes entrance tests like NEET, JEE, and CUET.
Join NEET News 2025 Key Recommendations
The Committee has made 101 recommendations, with many expected to be implemented from January 2026. These include:
Restructuring of NTA
- The report proposes a complete restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA), empowering it with three sub-committees for:
- Test Audit, Ethics, and Transparency
- Nomination and Staff Conditions
- Stakeholder Relationships
- NTA will prioritize entrance examinations only and will take on additional task only after expanding its capacity.
Robust Exam Centre Protocols
- Exam centres will be sealed in the presence of district administration and police before exams and opened only on the test day under strict supervision.
- Each centre will have a dedicated “Presiding Officer” from NTA to ensure accountability.
Collaboration with State Machinery
The committee recommends the Centre to work with state governments and district collectors, replicating the election model to ensure smooth coordination and zero lapses during exams.
Modernization and Digital Infrastructure
- A phased reduction in dependency on private test delivery agencies (e.g., TCS iON) has been proposed.
- Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVS) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV) will be upgraded as digital testing centres with advanced computer-based testing infrastructure.
DIGI-Exam and Secure Testing Innovations
- Introduction of a “DIGI-Exam” system, ensuring biometric authentication and secure candidate verification before exams.
- A hybrid system of computer-assisted pen-and-paper tests has been suggested to prevent question paper leaks during printing or transport.
- Every district in India should have at least one standardized secured testing centre for CBT/PPT/CPPT exams.
- The panel has also proposed Mobile Testing Centres (MTCs) for aspirants in remote, rural, and inaccessible regions.
Implications for NEET UG and Other Exams
The committee’s recommendations, if implemented, could bring big changes to how exams are conducted in India. It will help reduce malpractice, enhance transparency, and improve access for rural and disadvantaged students. The 2026 exam cycle is expected to witness the beginning of these changes. It will dawn of a new era of standardized and secure testing under the NTA.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), established in 2017, is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education. It conducts high-stakes entrance exams like NEET UG, JEE Main, and CUET, to provide fair, efficient, and globally benchmarked assessments.
