NEW DELHI: India’s high-stakes exam system is facing a deepening crisis of trust after repeated paper leaks, cancellations and administrative failures disrupted the lives of millions of students and raised questions over the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The NTA was established in 2017 to deliver fair, transparent and standardised examinations. Eight years later, however, the agency responsible for some of India’s biggest medical, engineering and university entrance tests is itself facing growing scrutiny.
In June, more than two million students were forced to retake the NEET-UG medical entrance examination following a paper leak.
The controversy triggered weeks of youth-led protests and ultimately the resignation of federal education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
India’s Exam Crisis
The government subsequently established a high-level task force led by technology entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms.
However, critics point to a similar committee created after examination irregularities in 2024. More than 100 reforms were proposed then, but only slightly more than half have reportedly been fully implemented.
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Experts argue that India should increasingly shift towards computer-based examinations and establish standardised, state-controlled testing centres.
Education experts have proposed holding major entrance examinations several times a year rather than relying on a single high-stakes test.
Students Bear Exam Fallout
The consequences can be severe for students who spend years preparing and significant sums on private tuition.
Seventeen-year-old Pari had to retake NEET after the original examination was cancelled. She described the experience as “very frustrating”, saying months of preparation had been disrupted.
Calls to abolish the NTA have consequently grown among student activists and opposition politicians.
Some educationists oppose scrapping the agency, arguing that India instead needs deep structural reform, specialist staffing, stronger digital infrastructure and more resilient examination procedures.
The challenge now is restoring confidence among millions of students whose academic futures depend on the country’s competitive examinations.
