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A draft for establishing a State Testing Agency (STA)—modeled after the National Testing Agency (NTA)—has been prepared. A departmental team visited the NTA to study its examination management system and finalized the STA’s framework after incorporating suggestions from relevant departments.

A major shift regarding entrance and eligibility examinations is underway in Rajasthan. The Higher Education Department has drafted a plan to set up a State Testing Agency (STA) based on the NTA model. The proposed agency is slated to conduct various examinations in Rajasthan, ranging from university entrance tests to PTET, REET, SET, and others. These exams will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, with proposals to establish examination centers at district headquarters.

Exams ranging from university entrance to PTET

According to the STA draft, the agency could conduct university undergraduate and postgraduate entrance tests, the State Eligibility Test (SET), REET, PTET, and pre-PhD examinations. Additionally, exams such as BSTC, the Agriculture Joint Entrance Test, the Pharmacy Entrance Test (UG), and entrance exams for technical and polytechnic colleges are proposed to be conducted through this agency. Every year, approximately 1.8 million students in Rajasthan participate in university admissions and various entrance and eligibility exams. Currently, many of these exams are conducted by different universities and institutions.

Exams to be conducted in CBT mode

Under the new system, preparations are being made to shift examinations to a computer-based format. To facilitate this, exam centers will be established at district headquarters across the state. This will allow for the standardization of procedures for conducting various examinations. Conducting exams through a single agency is expected to streamline the organization and evaluation processes while also facilitating the timely declaration of results.

Potential curb on paper leaks

The establishment of the STA also aims to make the examination system more transparent and secure. According to experts, having a single agency conduct examinations like PTET and D.El.Ed—instead of various individual universities—will help curb incidents such as paper leaks. Prof. Kailash Sodhani, former Vice-Chancellor of VMOU, stated that entrusting entrance exams to a dedicated agency would help prevent paper leaks; additionally, it would ensure that exams are held on schedule and results are declared promptly.

Approval Awaited

A team from Rajasthan’s Higher Education Department visited the NTA to study its examination management system. Subsequently, a draft for the STA (State Testing Agency) was prepared after incorporating suggestions from relevant departments. Dr. Mukesh Kumar Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Higher Education Department, has confirmed the preparation of the draft. Currently, the STA proposal remains at the draft stage. Only after the government issues a final decision and the associated rules will it become clear which examinations will officially be conducted under the STA and when this new system will come into effect.