Parliamentary Committee Urges Education Ministry to Tackle Exam Irregularities

A parliamentary committee has raised serious concerns about ongoing examination irregularities, urging the Ministry of Education to develop a clear roadmap for implementing necessary reforms. Despite previous measures, issues persist, leading to examination cancellations and student anxiety. The committee has called for broader consultations with stakeholders and emphasized the need for a comprehensive list of blacklisted firms involved in examination processes. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is also urged to expedite the implementation of recommendations from a high-level committee. This report highlights the urgent need for systemic changes in the examination framework to ensure fairness and reliability.

By Ambika Singh Jun 17, 2026, 10:21 IST

Concerns Over Examination Irregularities

New Delhi: A parliamentary committee has raised alarms regarding persistent irregularities in examinations, despite the government's efforts to address the issue. The committee has urged the Ministry of Education to create a detailed timeline for implementing reforms proposed by a high-level panel.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, led by Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh, submitted its 381st action report concerning the recommendations from the 364th report on Demands for Grants (2025-26) related to higher education to Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan on Tuesday.

The committee supported Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's statement from June 16, 2024, acknowledging that significant improvements are necessary within the National Testing Agency (NTA). It has recommended that the NTA hasten the implementation of the Radhakrishnan Committee's suggestions.

Additionally, the committee advised the department and the NTA to engage in broader consultations with stakeholders to establish a protocol for the secure administration of nationwide competitive examinations, as highlighted in the report.

"The Committee acknowledges the ministry's initiatives, including the formation of a high-powered steering committee led by K Radhakrishnan to oversee the execution of the high-level committee's recommendations.

However, despite these initiatives, examination irregularities continue to occur, resulting in cancellations and significant stress for students," the report stated.

"The Committee also urges the higher education department to publish a timely implementation roadmap for the HLCE recommendations as soon as possible," it added.

The HLCE was established by the Ministry of Education under the leadership of K Radhakrishnan, a former ISRO chairman, to implement essential systemic reforms in national competitive examinations conducted by the NTA.

The parliamentary panel observed that several companies involved in paper setting, administration, and evaluation have been blacklisted by certain organizations or state governments, yet they continue to secure contracts from other states or entities.

"The Committee recommends that the department compile a comprehensive list of blacklisted firms nationwide to clarify this situation," the report indicated.

In its response, the higher education department stated that the core functions of the NTA, including paper setting and evaluation, are not outsourced.

"The NTA keeps records of penalized vendors, including terminations, blacklisting, and contract cessations, and does not work with vendors that have been blacklisted by the NTA.

The procurement process followed by the NTA includes mandatory self-disclosure clauses regarding any blacklisting by government agencies," it explained.

The committee also addressed the financial aspects of the NTA, reiterating its recommendation that the agency's surplus be utilized to enhance its capabilities.

"The Committee noted that the NTA generated approximately Rs 3,512.98 crore while spending Rs 3,064.77 crore on examination conduct, resulting in a surplus of Rs 448 crore over the past six years.

It recommends that this surplus be used to bolster the agency's ability to conduct tests independently or to enhance regulatory and monitoring capabilities for its vendors," the report stated.

In response to these recommendations, the higher education department clarified that the NTA is a self-sustaining organization that does not rely on government funding.

"At the start of the year, the NTA requires funds for booking centers, compensating experts, software, and security, among other expenses. The income and expenditure trends indicate that, on average, Rs 74.5 crore remains each year after all expenses are accounted for.

The unspent income from a financial year is allocated for preparatory activities for the subsequent year. However, any surplus after budgeting for the next year's activities can be appropriately utilized," it stated.