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A Parliamentary Standing Committee has asked for a proper framework to make the National Testing Agency answerable to both Houses of Parliament. The demand has come after the NEET UG 2026 paper leak row and the later cancellation of the exam. The panel said trust in exams conducted by the NTA is linked to social justice and national integrity. It also said that while the agency has taken steps to improve, more changes are still needed to protect students and the exam system.
Parliamentary Panel Wants Stronger NTA Accountability After NEET UG 2026
The committee said the education department should create a parliamentary framework that clearly fixes NTA’s accountability to Parliament. The report came while reviewing the role of the agency after the NEET UG 2026 controversy. The NTA had cancelled the exam on May 12 after paper leak allegations linked to the test held on May 13.
The panel said exam fraud networks are organised and keep looking for weak points in the system. Because of this the NTA needs better staffing, stronger security rules, clear accountability and more digital systems in its operations and examinations. The committee also said trust can return only if students and other stakeholders receive transparent and regular communication from the agency.
Panel suggests computer based tests bigger question banks and permanent staff
The committee has proposed major changes in how entrance exams are held. It suggested a gradual shift from pen and paper tests to computer based tests. It also asked for greater use of publicly owned and operated centres and lower dependence on private centres for entrance examinations. A strict execution plan has also been sought to secure government CBT centres.
The report said a large and regularly updated question bank can become one of the strongest protections against paper leaks. It advised the NTA to use experts from reputed institutions such as IITs, AIIMSs and IIMs for question bank creation and translation work. At the same time it said the agency must check the background of such experts carefully to rule out conflicts of interest.
The panel also flagged a serious staffing issue. It said 16 out of 39 sanctioned posts at the NTA are vacant which means a vacancy level of 41 per cent. It recommended hiring permanent officers instead of relying mainly on deputation staff. It said the agency should especially recruit specialists in psychometrics exam security digital infrastructure data analytics and exam logistics. The committee also suggested that late arriving students may be allowed to sit for the test after giving an undertaking.
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