In a major development, National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh has been put on "compulsory wait" in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) amid a massive controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in the NEET and NET exams. The decision has been made following recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams, including the NEET-PG entrance examination. As a result, the examination, which was scheduled for June 23, has been postponed as a precautionary measure. The government appoints India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola to take over the additional charge of the testing agency until a regular incumbent is appointed.
Amid controversy over potential exam irregularities, Pradeep Singh Kharola has been given the additional charge as the director general of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Previous NTA DG, Subodh Kumar Singh, has been removed and placed on compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). This decision comes after allegations of paper leaks in multiple exams conducted by NTA, such as the NEET and NET. However, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has denied any paper leak in the CSIR-UGC NET, which was postponed earlier this week.