Aadhaar Architect, Former ISRO Chairman: Meet 6 Experts Charged With NTA Exam Reforms | Today’s news
The Center on Sunday unveiled a six-member high-powered task force to map the future of India’s examination system, bringing together experts from technology, space, intelligence, academia and public administration to recommend reforms to the National Testing Agency (NTA). Led by Infosys co-founder and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani, the panel is tasked with proposing structural and technology-led changes to make national entrance exams more transparent, secure and credible.
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The announcement follows the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 paper that sparked nationwide protests and renewed scrutiny of the country’s examination framework. The government said a multidisciplinary panel will review the current system and recommend measures to improve transparency, accountability and efficiency, with a strong emphasis on technology-led reforms.
Why the Center formed the NTA Exam Reforms Panel
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of the task force on Sunday, calling it part of a broader effort to restore public confidence in India’s examination system.
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The NTA Examination Reforms Panel is tasked with proposing structural and technology-led changes to increase the transparency, security and credibility of India’s national entrance examinations.
The task force was formed to restore public confidence in India’s examination system following the controversy surrounding the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 paper, which sparked protests and highlighted flaws in the current examination framework.
Experts on the panel from fields as diverse as technology, space and education will use their expertise to recommend reforms aimed at improving question paper security, candidate verification and overall exam logistics.
The panel is expected to address issues such as investigative malpractices, including paper leaks and impersonation, by focusing on strengthening security measures and improving the technological capabilities of the investigation system.
Emphasizing the need for a reliable and transparent examination system that uses maximum technology, Prime Minister Modi said that based on the task force report, steps would be initiated to ensure credibility in the upcoming examinations.
The Prime Minister said in a video message that the government has already taken action against those accused of fraud in the investigation while strengthening the legal framework.
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“The Government of India is constantly taking various measures for the future of students. Those who tampered with the future of students are languishing in jail. We have already set up fast-track courts. We are also moving towards enactment of new legislation in Parliament which includes strict legal provisions. But we must look to the future. Our examination system must be reliable and transparent and must make maximum use of technology.”
Modi announced the panel and added:
“Considering all these factors, we have decided to form a high-powered task force under the leadership of world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. This task force will focus on exam reforms and based on its report, steps will be taken to ensure the credibility of the upcoming exams as soon as possible.”
According to the government, the panel will review the functioning of the NTA and recommend reforms aimed at strengthening the security of paper questions, candidate verification, exam logistics and the overall credibility of entrance tests at the national level.
Nandan Nilekani
Technology entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani will chair the task force. Born in Bengaluru in 1955, he studied at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School, St Joseph’s High School and later obtained a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay.
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As co-founder of Infosys and founding chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Nilekani led the rollout of Aadhaar, the world’s largest digital identity program. His experience in building a secure digital infrastructure is expected to inform recommendations on technology-led exam reforms.
With Somnath
Former ISRO chairman S Somnath joined the committee after leading the Indian space agency on several high-profile missions.
Born in Alappuzha district of Kerala in 1963, Somnath graduated in mechanical engineering from TKM College of Engineering, followed by aerospace engineering at the Indian Institute of Science and later completed his PhD at IIT Madras.
His expertise in systems engineering, mission planning and management of complex science programs is expected to help strengthen the technological and operational reliability of India’s test ecosystem.
Tapan Deka
Former Director of Intelligence Tapan Deka brings decades of experience in national security and intelligence operations.
Born in Assam in 1963, Deka completed her Masters in Physics at Delhi University before joining the Indian Police in 1988.
His experience in identifying organized crime networks and strengthening security systems is expected to help the panel develop safeguards against paper leaks, impersonation and organized investigative misconduct.
In Kamakoti
The higher education sector is represented by V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras
A computer scientist born in Chennai in 1968, Kamakoti earned an engineering degree before completing his master’s and doctoral studies at IIT Madras.
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Known for his work in computer science, cyber security and emerging technologies, he is expected to contribute to the digital testing infrastructure as well as to reforms in test design, evaluation and administration.
Anita Karwal
Former Minister of Higher Education Anita Karwal added decades of experience in politics and administration to the panel.
A 1988-batch Gujarat cadre IAS officer and an economics graduate of Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, Karwal, he played a key role in shaping school and higher education policy.
Her experience in education management is expected to help translate the panel’s recommendations into actionable institutional reforms.
Amrit Lal Meena
Senior IAS officer Amrit Lal Meena completes the six-member panel.
Born in Rajasthan in 1965, Meena belongs to the 1989 batch of Bihar cadre and has served in several senior government posts, including Chief Secretary of Bihar and Secretary in the Ministry of Coal.
His experience in public administration and extensive logistics is expected to help the committee recommend improvements in trial planning, coordination and operational efficiency.
The exam reforms come after the NEET-UG controversy
The task force has been constituted as the center moves to review the examination system following the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 paper.
The controversy sparked widespread protests across the country and intensified calls for reforms within the National Testing Agency. Among the key demands raised by the protesters was the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as education minister, while opposition parties have repeatedly targeted the government over the issue in parliament.
The government said the expert panel will recommend comprehensive structural and technological reforms to make the examination process safer, more transparent and more accountable.
Pralhad Joshi begins review of education ministry
Union minister Pralhad Joshi, who has taken over the additional charge of the education ministry, said he has started reviewing the functioning of the ministry and meeting senior officials.
“The Prime Minister entrusted me with this responsibility with full confidence. I was in Karnataka yesterday. I reached here last night and this morning I came to take charge. I have taken charge. I am checking here all the details and decisions that need to be taken. I have been gathering information and trying to understand the functioning of the entire ministry.”
“We had non-stop meetings today. It’s a new topic for me. Today I took the lead and had detailed discussions with senior officers. It’s a very large department, so I’ll talk to you in detail after I fully understand it.”
The center said the panel’s recommendations would be implemented as soon as possible, signaling that restoring confidence in India’s examination system has become a priority after one of the country’s biggest controversies.
