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SBI Research has proposed a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA), recommending a separate law, an independent governing board, a permanent professional workforce and a dedicated mechanism for examination standards and candidate appeals.
The recommendations come amid continued scrutiny of India’s examination system and concerns surrounding examination integrity, transparency and access to higher education.
SBI Research has suggested replacing the NTA’s current status as a society under the Societies Registration Act with a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament. Established in 2018, the NTA had conducted more than 240 examinations involving over 5.4 crore candidates by July 2024, according to the report.
The report recommends an NTA Board comprising independent experts in assessment, technology, examination security, logistics and accessibility. The Board would oversee the agency, approve examination readiness and monitor vendors involved in examination-related activities. The Director General or CEO would continue to manage day-to-day operations while functioning under the Board’s oversight.
SBI Research has also called for a permanent professional team within the NTA with specialised expertise in assessment, technology, security, examination operations and candidate support. The proposal seeks to bring critical examination functions under direct institutional control and reduce excessive dependence on outsourced services and infrastructure.
Another key recommendation is an independent Standards and Appeals Body to audit high-risk examination processes and handle final administrative appeals in serious cases. The report also calls for stronger controls over question-paper custody, independent reviews of examination processes and more effective mechanisms for candidates to raise grievances.
The report suggests that India could draw lessons from China’s Gaokao, particularly in large-scale examination logistics, implementation and operational coordination. Its wider reform agenda also touches upon educational opportunity, higher-education funding, teaching vacancies and faster vocational training.