National Testing Agency Director General Subodh Kumar Singh was removed from his post on Saturday amid a controversy over irregularities in examinations. The government said in a letter that Singh’s services have been placed on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training.
Pradeep Singh Kharola, chairman and MD of India Trade Promotion Organisation, has been given the additional charge of NTA director general “until appointment to the regular post or until further orders…”. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the change on Saturday.
NTA is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education of India. It conducts several entrance exams including NEET and UGC-NET.
Pradeep Singh Kharola has been given the additional charge of the post of Director General of National Testing Agency (NTA), Ministry of Education. pic.twitter.com/owLKo75ApU
– ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024
The NTA had come under criticism earlier this month after the government cancelled the UGC-NET exam while the NEET-UG exam too faced allegations of “paper leak” and demands for its cancellation.
According to news agency PTI, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan On Saturday, it was said that the top leadership of NTA is under investigation for alleged irregularities in the competitive exams NEET and NET.
Earlier in the day, the Education Ministry had said that A seven-member panel headed by was notified by the former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan will ensure this Transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through NTA.
,Transparent, tamper-proof and zero error examinations This is a commitment. The formation of a high-level committee of experts is the first in a series of steps taken to improve the efficiency of the examination process, eliminate all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and reform the NTA. Student interests and their bright future will always be the top priority of our government,” Pradhan posted on X.
On Friday night, the Centre enacted a stringent law aimed at curbing malpractices and irregularities in competitive exams and provides for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Provision of Rs 1 crore for the offenders.
