The National Testing Agency faces backlash after the NEET and UGC-NET exams were marred by rampant cheating and leaks. Retired IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola, who has close ties to PMO's adviser Amit Khare, is appointed as the new director general, while Subodh Kumar Singh is placed on “compulsory wait”. The controversial leak of the NEET question paper and subsequent controversies have also led to the postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 and cancellation of the UGC-NET exams.
National Testing Agency: Embroiled in Controversy
Background The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an independent agency established in 2018 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education) to conduct key entrance and recruitment exams in India. The body took over the responsibilities of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for conducting exams like JEE Main, NEET, UGC-NET, and many others.
Recent Controversies The NTA has faced significant backlash after the NEET and UGC-NET exams were marred by cheating and paper leaks.
NEET Exam Controversy In July 2022, the question paper for the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam, conducted by the NTA, was leaked prior to the exam. This led to widespread protests and demands for the cancellation of the exam. However, the NTA refused to cancel the exam, claiming that the leaked paper was limited to a few centers. The exam was rescheduled and held in September 2022.
UGC-NET Controversy Similarly, in December 2022, the UGC-NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test) exam, also conducted by the NTA, was canceled due to paper leaks. The cancellation came after complaints of widespread irregularities and cheating. The exam was later rescheduled for January 2023.
New Appointments Amid the controversies, the NTA announced the appointment of retired IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola as the new director general. Kharola has close ties to Amit Khare, an adviser to the Prime Minister's Office. This appointment has raised concerns about potential political interference in the functioning of the agency.
Top 5 FAQs
Q1: What are the allegations against the NTA? A1: The NTA has been accused of rampant cheating and paper leaks in major entrance exams like NEET and UGC-NET.
Q2: What are the consequences of the controversies? A2: The controversies have led to the resignation of the previous NTA director general, the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam, and the postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 exam.
Q3: What is the NTA doing to address the controversies? A3: The NTA has announced the appointment of a new director general, strengthened security measures, and launched investigations into the paper leaks.
Q4: Who are the key individuals involved in the controversies? A4: The former NTA director general, Vineet Joshi, has been replaced by Pradeep Singh Kharola. Retired IAS officer Subodh Kumar Singh has been placed on "compulsory wait."
Q5: What are the concerns about the NTA's future? A5: There are concerns about the potential for political interference in the NTA's functioning and the agency's ability to ensure the integrity of future exams.
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