Supreme Court warns NTA, pushes for permanent staff and structural reforms

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday indicated that its judges may visit the National Testing Agency's (NTA) permanent office in Minto Road, New Delhi, to assess its functioning, infrastructure and manpower and verify the implementation of measures aimed at reforming the examination body.

A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe stressed the need for structural changes in the NTA and implementation of the recommendations of the high-powered committee headed by former ISRO chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan.

The bench also emphasised the need for a permanent workforce, with Justice Narasimha indicating that at least half of the NTA's staff should be permanent rather than relying entirely on officials on deputation.

The court sought details on the progress of the high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. The Joint Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), who is coordinating with the task force, was directed to file an affidavit on its progress within two weeks. The matter will be taken up again after three weeks.
The NTA was also directed to upload its affidavit on its website and create a dedicated email ID to receive suggestions on the proposed reforms.

The court was informed that the NTA's confidential offices had been shifted to a dedicated 55,520-square-foot government facility on Minto Road, secured by 39 CISF personnel and equipped with X-ray screening facilities.
The NTA's leadership has also been strengthened, with a Secretary-level officer appointed as Director General and officers from the IAS, IPS and Indian Statistical Service, along with domain specialists, included in its administrative structure.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the court that the Nandan Nilekani-led task force had held consultations with members of the earlier Radhakrishnan committee. The first interim report of the Nilekani panel is expected by the end of September.
The proceedings arose from petitions seeking structural reforms in the NTA following concerns over the NEET-UG 2026 question-paper leak and other examination-related issues.