Centre removes NTA chief Subodh Kumar Singh amid NEET, NET controversies

NEW DELHI: Amid irreguarities in NEET and UGC NET exams, the Centre has removed Subodh Kumar Singh from the post of director general of National Testing Agency (NTA). Former Union Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola was given the interim charge. The government's action comes amid nationwide protests over examination irregularities. Chhattisgarh cadre 1997 batch IAS officer Subodh Kumar became the head of NTA a year ago. Pradeep Singh Kharola was the head of Air India and Bangalore Metro.

Earlier, the Union Education Ministry had formed a high-level committee to suggest reforms to ensure transparency in public examinations. A seven-member committee was formed under the chairmanship of former ISRO chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan. Delhi AIIMS former director Dr Randeep Guleria, Hyderabad Central University VC Prof BJ Rao, IIT Madras Civil Engineering Prof Ramamurthy, Karmayogi Bharat co-founder Pankaj Bansal, IIT Delhi Dean of Students Prof Aditya Mittal, and Union Education Department Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal are members of the committee.

The committee will submit suggestions on reforming the conduct of examinations, improving data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the NTA committee.