NTA Review Committee Headed by Ex-ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan: What to Know

A furor has erupted over the leakage of the NEET paper and other competitive exams, with opposition parties launching a broadside against the central government. Amidst this, the government has made a significant decision. On one hand, the government has removed the chief of the National Testing Agency (NTA) from his position, while on the other, the responsibility of investigating the irregularities in the NEET-UG examination has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Along with this, the Ministry of Education has formed a high-level committee to ensure transparency in examinations conducted by the NTA and to prevent malpractices.

The committee formed by the government consists of seven members. It will be chaired by former ISRO chief, Dr. Radhakrishnan. According to the Ministry of Education, the objective of this committee is to provide recommendations for conducting transparent and corruption-free examinations conducted by the NTA. The Radhakrishnan Committee has been given a two-month period to submit its recommendations to the government. So, who is the chairman of the committee? Let's find out.

Dr. Radhakrishnan:

Dr. Radhakrishnan is a renowned scientist who has been a favored figure of the current government for academic reforms. He has led several committees set up by the Ministry of Education. Dr. Radhakrishnan is a well-known scientist who has also served as the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was born on August 29, 1949, in Kerala. Speaking of his education, he obtained a Bachelor's degree in engineering from an engineering college in Trivandrum, followed by a Ph.D. from IIT Kharagpur and a PGDM degree from IIM Bangalore.

Career at ISRO:

In 1971, Dr. Radhakrishnan began his career at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. He played a crucial role in the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV) project. Dr. Radhakrishnan also served as the director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center. Under his guidance, ISRO had successfully launched the Mars Orbiter Mission in its first attempt. After Dr. G. Madhavan Nair's retirement, Dr. Radhakrishnan assumed the position of ISRO chairman. His primary priority was to prepare an indigenous cryogenic engine for GSLV.

Honors and Awards:

From 2009 to 2014, Dr. Radhakrishnan served as the chairman of ISRO. Under his leadership, India successfully launched the Chandrayaan-1 mission, the Mars Orbiter Mission, and satellites of the GSAT series. He made significant contributions to various areas of the Indian space program, including satellite communication, remote sensing, and space science. In 2014, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions. He has received several other national and international awards for his leadership and scientific contributions.