Parliamentary Panel on NTA Reforms: No Rallies on Exam Days, Late-Entry Rule and a Separate Window for Formalities
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports presented its report "Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA)" (its 382nd report) to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on 9 October 2026.
It recommended amending the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 so that district administrations must refuse permission for rallies, processions or large public gatherings on the days of major competitive exams, and plan traffic and law-and-order arrangements well in advance.
Till now, the NTA has only issued advisories asking candidates to reach centres early if such events are planned on exam days.
The committee noted that candidates who arrive even a few minutes late are usually denied entry, wasting a year of preparation. It suggested that late candidates be allowed in after signing an undertaking (a written promise) recording their late arrival, and be allowed to write the exam only for the remaining time, with no extra time.
It also said invigilators doing signature and checking work during the exam disturb candidates. It recommended a separate 15-minute window, before or after the test, only for such formalities.
The report follows the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the cancellation of that exam and nationwide student protests over lapses in the NTA.
National Testing Agency (NTA)
The National Testing Agency, or NTA, is the body that conducts India's biggest national entrance exams, such as NEET-UG (for medical colleges), JEE Main (for engineering colleges), CUET (for central universities) and UGC-NET (for lecturer eligibility). It works under the Ministry of Education. It is an autonomous and self-sustained body, which means it runs its own work and pays for itself from exam fees. Because it is a registered society and not a body created by an Act of Parliament, it has no legal duty to report to Parliament.
The committee's suggestions on rallies, late entry and a separate window for formalities are practical steps to make NTA exams fairer for candidates. They add to its larger demand that the NTA, which conducts exams for crores of students, should answer to Parliament.
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 is India's first central law against paper leaks and cheating rackets in major government exams. It covers exams held by the UPSC, the Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Boards, IBPS, the National Testing Agency, and central ministries and departments. It makes paper leaks and similar acts serious crimes. In 2026, Parliament amended it to make punishments much tougher and to speed up investigation and trials.
The committee wants this law amended again, this time to place a duty on district administrations to refuse permission for rallies and processions on exam days. Using this Act would turn a simple NTA advisory into a legal duty.
Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)
Departmentally Related Standing Committees, or DRSCs, are small permanent groups of MPs that closely examine the work of government ministries. There are 24 of them, and each looks after one or more ministries. Each has 31 members: 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. They study budgets, bills and policies, and their reports with suggestions are presented to Parliament.
The report on NTA reforms is an example of how a DRSC examines a subject in depth and gives advice. Its suggestions are not binding, but the Ministry of Education must reply to them, and the committee will check the government's action in a later action taken report.
- Report: "Reforms and Strengthening of the National Testing Agency (NTA)", 382nd report of the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports.
- Presented to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on 9 October 2026.
- Recommendation: amend the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 to make district administrations withhold permission for rallies and processions on exam days.
- Late arrivals: entry after a signed undertaking, writing only for the remaining time, no extra time.
- Formalities: a separate 15-minute window before or after the test.
- NTA: registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; Cabinet approval 10 November 2017.
- Public Examinations Act amended in 2026 (assent 31 July 2026): 5 to 10 years' jail, fine up to ₹50 lakh.
- DRSCs: 24 committees, 31 members each (21 Lok Sabha, 10 Rajya Sabha).