NTA reforms: Panel proposes age, attempt limits and two-stage entrance tests after NEET cancellation

A parliamentary standing committee has recommended a legislative framework to make the National Testing Agency (NTA) accountable to both Houses of Parliament, following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 over allegations of a question paper leak. The panel has also called for a review of age and attempt limits for major entrance examinations, a possible two-stage testing format and greater reliance on government-run examination centres.

In its report titled Reforms and Strengthening of NTA, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports said the credibility of public examinations was closely linked to social justice and national integrity. It stressed the need for stronger safeguards, clearer accountability and better institutional capacity to prevent examination fraud.

The NTA cancelled NEET-UG 2026 on May 12, after the examination was conducted on May 3. The cancellation, the committee said, underscored the need for further improvements in the agency’s functioning, despite measures taken in the past.


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Committee seeks parliamentary accountability for NTA

The panel said the Education Department could introduce a suitable legislative framework to ensure that the NTA is accountable to Parliament.

“The education department may introduce an appropriate Parliamentary framework that ensures NTA's accountability to Parliament,” the committee said in its report.

It also called for stronger examination security protocols, well-defined accountability mechanisms, adequate staffing and greater digitalisation to tackle organised networks involved in examination fraud.

The committee emphasised that rebuilding public confidence would require the agency to strengthen its systems and ensure that examination integrity remained a central responsibility.

Two-stage entrance tests, age and attempt limits proposed

The committee highlighted that NEET-UG currently has no limit on the number of attempts and no effective upper age limit, noting that candidates above the age of 70 had also appeared for the examination.

It recommended that the Education Ministry examine the feasibility of introducing reasonable age and attempt limits for major entrance tests, including NEET-UG, in consultation with the Health Ministry and other stakeholders. The panel suggested that UGC-NET could be treated as an exception.

The report also proposed that the NTA explore a two-stage format for large-scale entrance examinations. Under the suggested approach, a common preliminary test could be followed by specialised main examinations for individual courses.

The committee said this structure could help distinguish candidates seeking admission to nursing and AYUSH programmes from those competing for MBBS seats.

Greater use of computer-based tests and government centres

To reduce dependence on private examination facilities, the committee recommended a shift towards computer-based tests (CBTs) and greater involvement of government-owned and operated centres.

It called on the NTA to prepare a concrete implementation plan for establishing secure government CBT facilities.

The panel also suggested that candidates who arrive late at examination centres should be permitted to take the test after submitting an undertaking, rather than being automatically denied entry.

National registry of blacklisted vendors, stronger question bank

The committee urged the NTA to establish a national registry of blacklisted examination vendors as part of efforts to strengthen oversight of the examination process.

It also recommended developing a large, diverse and regularly updated question bank to reduce the risk of question paper leaks.

Experts from reputed institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), could be involved in preparing questions and translations, the report said.

The panel stressed that the backgrounds of those involved should be verified for integrity and potential conflicts of interest, including links with private coaching centres or candidates appearing for the examinations.

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NTA faces 41% staff vacancy

The report flagged staffing shortages within the agency, noting that only 23 of its 39 sanctioned positions were occupied, leaving a vacancy rate of 41%. The committee also observed that all 39 permanent posts were being filled through deputation.

It called for the recruitment of permanent employees, particularly specialists in psychometrics, examination security, digital infrastructure, data analytics and examination logistics.

The panel further recommended that positions under the Central Staffing Scheme supplement the agency’s senior leadership instead of serving as a substitute for specialised domain expertise.

Concluding its assessment, the committee said restoring public confidence in examinations would require consistent, transparent and two-way communication with stakeholders. It emphasised that everyone involved in organising examinations must regard integrity as a core responsibility rather than merely a professional obligation.