Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of a high-powered task force to recommend steps to make the country’s examination system leak-proof and technology-driven. The task force will be headed by former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, a renowned technology expert who has worked with the Union Government in the past to set up the Aadhaar ecosystem and Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
The task force will focus on exam reforms and will consist of a multidisciplinary panel of domain experts, including former ISRO Chairman S Somnath, former IB director Tapan Deka, IIT Chennai director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena. The committee will help revamp the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination system, especially from a technology perspective, and bring about structural reforms in the system.
The announcement comes a day after former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following widespread protests over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026 paper leak and subsequent re-examination. Prime Minister Modi also announced that the Centre is taking multiple steps to ensure that those who have played with the future of students are punished, including the formation of fast-track courts and a stringent law in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took charge of the Ministry of Education on Sunday, reviewing the implementation of various schemes and other initiatives. Mr. Joshi, who also holds the portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, chaired a meeting of the Ministry and discussed key schemes, including Samagra Shiksha, PM-SHRI Schools, and PM POSHAN.
The Ministry is also expected to implement the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan panel, which has suggested restructuring the NTA and better coordination with States. Higher Education Department secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, School Education and Literacy Department secretary T. K. Anil Kumar, and other senior officials of the Ministry were present at the meeting.
Mr. Joshi stated that he has assumed charge of the Education Ministry with full confidence from the Prime Minister and is reviewing all the details and decisions that need to be taken. He added that he will speak to the media in detail after he has understood the functioning of the Ministry completely.
