NTA (National Testing Agency)

Question 1

1. When was the National Testing Agency (NTA) established?

Answer 1

Answer: NTA was established in November 2017 by the Ministry of Education.

Question 2

2. What are the main functions of the National Testing Agency (NTA)?

Answer 2

Answer:

Conducting exams
Developing question papers
Result processing

Question 3

3. Where is the headquarters of the National Testing Agency (NTA) located?

Answer 3

Answer: New Delhi

Question 4

4. Why was Subodh Kumar Singh removed as the NTA chief?

Answer 4

Answer: He was removed following the postponement of the NEET PG exam and amid concerns about the integrity of the examination process.

Question 5

5. What investigations is the CBI conducting related to NTA exams?

Answer 5

Answer: The CBI is investigating the UGC-NET paper leak and alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

Question 6

6. Who is leading the expert committee to review NTA’s functioning?

Answer 6

Answer: The expert committee is chaired by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan.

Question 7

7. What is the expert committee’s goal?

Answer 7

Answer: The committee aims to recommend exam reforms, strengthen data security protocols, and improve the NTA’s structure and functioning.

Question 8

8. What are the issues faced by the NTA?

Answer 8

Answer:

Reliance on third-party technical partners due to NIC’s limited infrastructure
Severe understaffing (only about 25 permanent staff members)
Lack of robust security mechanisms for large-scale examinations

Question 9

9. Why does NTA rely on third-party technical partners?

Answer 9

Answer: NTA relies on third-party partners due to limited IT infrastructure at the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

Question 10

10. What security issues does the NTA face during the examination process?

Answer 10

Answer:

Lack of security in question paper encryption and storage
Vulnerabilities in transportation and distribution to exam centres
Risk of malpractice in various stages of the exam process

Question 11

11. What does the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 address?

Answer 11

Answer: The Act aims to prevent unfair practices during public exams but has been criticized for lacking timeframes for re-scheduling exams and inadequate provisions for invigilators’ training.

Question 12

12. What is the recommended timeframe for rescheduling exams canceled due to unfair means?

Answer 12

Answer: It is recommended that canceled exams be rescheduled within six months to ensure fairness and preserve candidates’ merit.

Question 13

13. What issue does the Public Examinations Act have regarding invigilators?

Answer 13

Answer: Invigilators and administrative officers often lack proper training, leading to inefficiencies and opportunities for unfair practices.

Question 14

14. What training should be provided to invigilators according to the recommendations?

Answer 14

Answer: Invigilators should undergo intensive training programs and workshops to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge for fair exam conduct.

Question 15

15. What does the Act specify about the investigation of unfair means?

Answer 15

Answer: The Act designates officers of at least Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank to investigate unfair means, but it is recommended that a specialized investigation authority be established.

Question 16

16. How has modern technology and AI been underutilized in the exam process?

Answer 16

Answer: Technology and AI have not been effectively used to counteract offenders, streamline the question paper-setting process, and enhance the evaluation stage.

Question 17

17. How can technology like AI improve the examination process?

Answer 17

Answer: AI can help identify discrepancies during evaluation and ensure better accuracy than manual checks.

Question 18

18. What are the benefits of using technology like AI in exams?

Answer 18

Answer:

Streamlined question paper setting
Digital verification of question sets
Centralized question banks for better management
Electronic printing and distribution to minimize paper leaks

Question 19

19. What should be done to improve the integrity of exam paper distribution?

Answer 19

Answer: Electronic methods, including digital printing and distribution, should be used to reduce the risk of paper leaks.

Question 20

20. What should be implemented for better examination oversight?

Answer 20

Answer: A specialized investigation and regulation authority should be established to handle investigations into unfair practices systematically.