CISF Takes Charge: New Security Measures for National Testing Agency Amid NEET Controversy

In light of the recent NEET paper leak controversy, the National Testing Agency has implemented new security measures with the help of the CISF. This move aims to enhance the protection of sensitive areas within the agency's new office. Following widespread protests and the resignation of the former education minister, a high-level task force has been established to recommend reforms. The CISF will oversee access control and screening processes, ensuring a more secure examination environment. With ongoing efforts to improve cybersecurity and monitoring systems, the NTA is taking significant steps to prevent future incidents. Read on to learn more about these developments and their implications for the examination system.

By Ambika Singh Sep 27, 2026, 16:19 IST

Enhanced Security for National Testing Agency

New Delhi: Following a significant controversy surrounding the NEET paper leak, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has relocated to a new office and will now be secured by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to enhance security in sensitive areas, according to officials.

This decision comes after the NEET-UG exam's question paper leak earlier this year, which ignited widespread protests among students and resulted in the resignation of the former Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.

In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-level task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to propose reforms aimed at preventing future leaks. The task force has yet to deliver its findings.

A recent CBI chargesheet revealed that three subject experts were identified as key players in the leak, highlighting a lack of security measures such as checks or frisking at the NTA's confidential sections, which allowed experts to smuggle out information on small notes.

Established in 2017 under the Ministry of Education, the NTA was previously based in Okhla but has now moved to a spacious office in the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road, covering over 55,000 square feet. The transition of sensitive operations to this new location has been ongoing for the past month.

The CBI report also pointed out that the activities of the implicated experts went undetected due to the absence of a dedicated CCTV monitoring system at the NTA's former office.

Regarding security at the new site, officials stated that specific areas have been designated for confidential operations, with strict monitoring protocols in place. The Home Ministry has approved CISF security for the premises.

A total of 39 CISF personnel have been assigned to oversee security, access control, and screening processes, which include the use of X-ray baggage scanners and Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs).

CISF personnel will be strategically positioned at all entry and exit points to regulate access to sensitive areas.

While no educational institution in India has CISF protection, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), responsible for conducting recruitment exams, is under CISF security.

A similar NEET paper leak incident in 2024 prompted the establishment of a high-level committee led by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, which made extensive recommendations for improving security measures related to examination processes.

However, after a 2026 leak, the Supreme Court criticized the NTA for failing to learn from past mistakes.

Efforts are currently underway to implement stringent access controls, encryption standards, and tamper-evident storage for all examination-critical operations.

The NTA is also focusing on conducting security readiness reviews for all examination-support systems before each exam cycle, ensuring coordination with its technology and test-security functions, including biometric authentication and live monitoring.

To bolster information security, the NTA has appointed a chief information security officer (CISO), with the recruitment process for this position already in advanced stages. Ongoing independent cybersecurity audits are being conducted by CERT-In and C-DAC accredited agencies.