PM forms task force on exam reforms
Under the leadership of world-renowned technology expert and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the constitution of a high-powered task force, headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, on reforms to be carried out for the examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The task force will give suggestions on maximum use of technology for setting up a robust and transparent examination system, he said in a video message posted on his Instagram handle. A multidisciplinary group of domain experts will be part of the task force.
Besides Nilekani, the other members are former ISRO Chairman S Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
The Prime Minister’s announcement came a day after the 36-day agitation, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), ended with the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the education minister. “A high-powered task force on examination reforms under the leadership of Nandan Nilekani has been constituted,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister said the Government would work on the task force’s recommendations to establish a foolproof examination system. He said the recommendations would help revamp NTA examinations through technological improvements and bring about structural reforms in the system.
Sharing a post on Instagram, Prime Minister Modi said, “The Government of India is continuously taking various measures for the future of students. Those who tampered with the students’ future are languishing in jail.”
Highlighting the steps taken by the Government, Modi said, “We have already established fast-track courts. We are also moving towards enacting new legislation in Parliament that incorporates stringent legal provisions. However, we must look to the future. Our examination system needs to be reliable and transparent, and it must make maximum use of technology.”
He said the Government “decided to constitute a high-powered task force under the leadership of the world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. This task force will focus on examination reforms, and based on its report, steps will be taken to ensure the credibility of upcoming examinations at the earliest.”
As a co-founder of the eGov Foundation, Nilekani has been pivotal in shaping the organisation’s mission to enhance urban governance through technology. He focuses on building citizen-centric platforms that provide urban local bodies with the tools they need to deliver better services and improve the quality of life for citizens.
With over two decades of experience in leadership roles, including as the founding chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Nilekani brings a wealth of knowledge in leveraging technology for large-scale impact.
Another organisation he co-founded, EkStep Foundation, aims to improve basic literacy and numeracy for millions of children through a digital platform.
The panel is expected to study vulnerabilities in the current system, including paper handling, digital infrastructure, cyber security, candidate authentication, logistics and grievance redressal. It will also explore the use of advanced technologies to minimise the risk of malpractice while improving efficiency and transparency.
OTHER MEMBERS
- Former ISRO Chairman S Somanath
- Former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka
- IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti
- Former Education Secretary Anita Karwal
- Logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena
Tech-Driven Reforms
- The task force will give suggestions on maximum use of technology
- Setting up a robust and transparent examination system
- The recommendations would help revamp NTA examinations
- Bring about structural reforms in the system
