The National Testing Agency (NTA) has strengthened security at its new office in New Delhi, with 39 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed to guard confidential examination-related areas. The move comes amid the agency’s ongoing overhaul of examination and security procedures following the NEET UG paper leak controversy.
The NTA has shifted its confidential and sensitive operations from its earlier office in Okhla to a newly allotted facility at the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road in central Delhi. The agency has been allotted more than 55,000 square feet of space across the fifth floor and parts of the fourth and sixth floors of the building.
39 CISF Personnel Deployed At NTA Office
The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved CISF security cover for the new NTA premises. The 39 personnel will be responsible for security and access control, particularly in areas where confidential examination work is carried out.
According to officials, CISF personnel will be deployed at suitable locations at the entry and exit points of the designated confidential areas. Security measures include frisking, X-ray baggage screening and checks through Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs).
“The CISF is being deployed at suitable locations at all the entry and exit points for monitoring and regulation of access into the confidential area,” an official said.
The confidential areas at the new premises have also been separately demarcated. “Confidential areas have been demarcated in the building where the movement and operations will be strictly monitored to ensure that a foolproof system is in place,” the official said.
Why Has NTA Increased Security?
The enhanced security measures follow concerns over examination-related security lapses, including those highlighted during investigations into the NEET UG paper leak controversy.
According to the CBI chargesheet cited in reports, subject experts accused in the paper leak case were able to make notes from examination material. The investigation also pointed to the absence of adequate checking and frisking at the confidential section of the NTA’s earlier premises.
The CBI also noted that the earlier office did not have a dedicated control room for monitoring live CCTV feeds.
NTA Plans Wider Examination Security Overhaul
The deployment of CISF personnel is part of a broader effort to strengthen security around the examination process. The NTA has outlined measures including stricter access controls, CCTV monitoring, biometric and facial authentication, AI-based tools and additional security protocols for examination centres.
“Arrangements are being made on mission mode for establishing strict access controls, encryption standards, immutable logging and tamper evident storage for all examination-critical workloads,” an official said.
The agency has also designated a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) as part of its information-security measures.
“To strengthen information security, the NTA has designated a dedicated chief information security officer (CISO),” the official said.
The agency is also reviewing the security of systems involved in question-paper preparation, candidate registration, examinations and result processing. Independent cybersecurity audits and security reviews are among the measures being pursued as part of the wider restructuring.
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