New Delhi, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) headed by technology expert Nandan Nilekani has invited suggestions from students, parents, teachers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders as part of the government’s exercise to reform the public examination system.
Suggestions can be submitted until September 13, with the task force seeking views on examination security and conduct, examination design and assessment methods, governance and accountability, and mechanisms to prevent, detect and address examination malpractice.
The panel is also inviting recommendations on the use of technology, including secure computer-based testing, expansion of examination infrastructure and creation of an inclusive system that improves access for candidates across social, economic, regional and linguistic backgrounds.
The HPTF is examining measures to strengthen institutional processes, protect examination integrity, deploy appropriate technology, expand infrastructure, improve accessibility and inclusion, and safeguard student well-being. Its broader objective is to develop a public examination system that is secure, transparent, equitable and future-ready.
Besides Nilekani, the task force includes former ISRO chairman S. Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
The constitution of the task force came amid heightened concerns over the integrity of competitive examinations and alleged paper leaks. The government’s decision to bring in Nilekani followed a period of student agitation over examination-related issues.
Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has appointed two directors and a joint director as part of changes at the agency responsible for conducting several major examinations.
IAS officer Prasanna Venkatesh V and IPS officer Ravi Kumar Singh, both 2012-batch officers, have been appointed as directors in the NTA. Venkatesh has been posted to the agency under the Central Staffing Scheme for five years, while Singh, an Andhra Pradesh cadre officer, has been appointed on Central deputation.
Singh has previously served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing.
The Department of Personnel and Training has also appointed 2016-batch Indian Revenue Service officer Amit Samdariya as joint director in the NTA at the deputy secretary level for four years.
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