PM forms Nilekani-led task force to reform exams

• PM Modi forms Nandan Nilekani-led task force to reform NTA exams
• Panel includes experts like S Somanath to boost exam transparency
• Pralhad Joshi takes additional charge of education ministry

New Delhi: A day after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down as Union education minister amid protests over examination-related issues, Prime Minister Narendra

Modi on Sunday unveiled measures to reform the exam system and enhance its transparency and credibility.

In a video message posted on X, PM Modi said a “high-powered task force” headed by technology expert Nandan Nilekani would be constituted. He added that the government was taking several steps with students’ futures in mind.

Nilekani-led task force

Keeping these objectives in view, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the constitution of a high-powered task force headed by technology expert Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms in examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The multidisciplinary panel of domain experts will help revamp the NTA’s examination process, particularly its use of technology, and recommend structural reforms to strengthen the system.

Apart from Nilekani, the task force includes 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.

Modi said the panel would submit its recommendations at the earliest. The government would act on its report to safeguard the transparency and credibility of upcoming examinations, he added.

Weeks-long student agitation

The task force was constituted a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union education minister following nearly seven weeks of protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over examination paper leaks.

The agitation began at Jantar Mantar on June 20 before spreading across the country. It intensified after police action against demonstrators on July 20 and subsequently received support from several student organisations and activists, including Sonam Wangchuk, who undertook a prolonged hunger strike in solidarity with the movement.

Joshi takes additional charge

Meanwhile, Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed additional charge of the Union education ministry at Kartavya Bhavan. He subsequently chaired a meeting to review the implementation of various schemes and initiatives undertaken by the departments of school education and higher education, officials said.