PM sets up task force headed by UIDAI chief Nandan Nilekani for exam reforms; panel to revamp NTA through technology & structural changes

A day before the government is expected to introduce in the Lok Sabha a Bill to amend the existing law on prevention of unfair practices in public examinations like NEET, Prime Minister Narendra Modi constituted a task force headed by former UIDAI Chief Nandan Nilekani and comprising eminent experts from different fields to look into examination reforms.

In a message on X, Modi said, "Friends, government of India is regularly taking steps for the future of students. Those who have played with the future of students are rotting in jails. We have already formed fast-track courts. We are moving ahead tomorrow in Parliament with a Bill having provision for strict punishment. But we have to think about the future. Keeping in mind that our examination system is robust, transparent, uses the maximum technology, we have decided to form a high-powered task force under the leadership of world famous technology expert Nandan Nilekani which will focus on examination reform."

The prime minister further stated that the suggestions of the report submitted by this body at the earliest will ensure that the credibility of the forthcoming examinations is restored.Nilekani had earlier successfully headed the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for allocating Aadhaar to citizens.

The task force will have multidisciplinary group of domain experts to help revamp NTA examination especially technology perspective and for structural reforms in the system, government sources said.

The examination reforms taskforce will have former ISRO Chairman S Somanath, former IB Director Tapan Deka, IIT Chennai Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena, as members.