Top News

The NTA has initiated new recruitment drives to improve exam operations. Officials state that the target is to eliminate the ad-hoc system within the next three months.

NTA Reform 2026: Amidst questions regarding its examination system, the NTA is once again preparing for major changes to its operations. The agency has started recruiting new personnel to enhance the way exams are conducted. Officials have set a target to phase out the ad-hoc system within the next three months. Recruitment processes for over 20 permanent positions are currently underway. Additionally, experts are being appointed in several key areas related to exam management.

Recruitment for Over 20 Permanent Positions

According to NTA officials, the agency is moving towards a permanent staffing model. Advertisements for more than 20 permanent posts have already been issued. Appointments are being made for roles such as Chief Technology Officer, Chief Finance Officer, and Chief Information Security Officer, as well as General Manager-level positions in test security, R&D, and psychometrics. Officials expect 20 to 25 officers to join the NTA within the next two to three weeks. The agency aims to build a team of permanent experts dedicated to various aspects of exam operations.

Removal of 600 Experts from the Exam Team

As part of the overhaul of the examination system, approximately 600 experts have been removed from the existing exam team. They are now being replaced by new experts selected through a formal recruitment process. The NTA is also bringing on board private-sector experts in fields such as cybersecurity, psychometrics, and question paper setting. According to officials, the agency is also working on creating a vast question bank so that critical exam-related information is not confined to any single individual.

Four-Tier System for Question Paper Scrutiny

A four-tier scrutiny system will be implemented to minimize errors in examination question papers. Under this system, question papers will undergo review across multiple stages to detect factual, typographical, linguistic, and translation-related errors prior to the examination. The Ministry of Education has also directed the NTA to conduct a comprehensive audit of all examination processes and submit a report on the improvements made. According to the Ministry, the examination team has been reshuffled, and over 50 employees have been removed from the agency.

NTA Offices to Move to Government Premises

Plans are also underway to relocate NTA offices to government premises. To enhance security, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will be deployed, replacing private security agencies. The new setup will incorporate biometric access, CCTV surveillance, improved digital systems, and robust cybersecurity measures. Cyber ​​experts are also being inducted into the agency.

Changes to Confidential Operations

The Education Minister has instructed the NTA to strictly adhere to established examination protocols and overhaul its confidential operations. This will involve measures such as dedicated rooms for sensitive examination-related tasks, air-gapped systems, and protocols for the deposit of electronic devices. These changes to the NTA’s examination system are being introduced at a time when the agency is facing criticism regarding irregularities in various examinations and complaints concerning question papers.