New Delhi: National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Graduate (NEET-UG) controversy, important Improvement Many major changes are likely to take place in the National Testing Agency (NTA). According to government sources, there is a possibility of extensive changes in the functioning and functioning of the agency. Exam Administration are under consideration, and a high level committee is likely to be constituted for recommendations.

The NEET-UG 2024 results, declared on June 4, faced widespread criticism from students and parents. Legal challenges were filed against the results, highlighting three main issues: the provision of grace marks to some students, claims of a leaked question paper, and suspected irregularities at certain exam centres. Many have demanded an inquiry and re-conduct of the exam.

Union Education Minister dharmendra pradhan It on Sunday asserted that those found guilty in the NEET UG 2024 “scam” would be given the “strictest punishment”, while assuring students and parents that the government was taking the matter seriously.

A senior government official said: “The matter is currently in court. The education ministry and the NTA are also examining the details. However, once the issue is resolved based on the investigation and court orders, significant reforms will be introduced in all aspects of the conduct of these crucial exams.” The education ministry is likely to form a committee to recommend reforms, the official said.

As of November 2023, the NTA has registered over 1.23 crore candidates, making it one of the largest exam conducting bodies globally, second only to China’s Gaokao which registered 1.29 crore candidates in 2023.

For NEET-UG 2024, over 24 lakh candidates registered, while 14.7 lakh registered for Joint Entrance Examination (Main) and over 13.4 lakh for CUET-UG 2024. Apart from these major entrance exams for various undergraduate programmes, NTA also conducts other exams such as National Council of Hotel Management Joint Entrance Examination (12,738 candidates), Entrance Examination for Diploma in Sports Coaching (ATDSC) of National Institute of Sports (NIS) – 2024, Graduate Aptitude Test – Biotechnology (GAT-B), Common Management Admission Test, Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test, All India Sainik School Entrance Examination and SWAYAM exams etc.

Speaking to the Times of India, Pradhan said, “The government will conduct a thorough review of what happened in NEET and take steps to improve both the exam and the NTA. The NTA is evolving and not perfect; we need to strengthen it further. We are concerned about the future of lakhs of young students.”

Apart from the three most competitive and high-profile entrance exams – NEET-UG & PG, CUET-UG & PG, and JEE (Main), NTA also conducts NET for UGC, recruitment exams for Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, Navodaya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Central Universities and Military Nursing Service, etc.

Government sources indicate that the planned reforms will include administrative, operational and logistical changes (centres and question papers) and capacity building, among other areas.