Centre sets up high-level panel to ensure transparent, smooth conduct of exams amid NEET, UGC-NET row.

The Ministry of Education announced a high-level committee of experts to ensure transparent smooth and fair conduct of examinations. The Ministry of Education on Saturday announced a high-level committee of experts to ensure transparent smooth and fair conduct of examinations amid the NEET and UGC-NET row. The panel of experts will make recommendations on reforms in mechanism of examination process, improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency. The panel will be headed by Dr. K Radhakrishnan, former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairperson and the chairman of board of governors, IIT Kanpur. The other members include Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Central University of Hyderabad vice chancellor Prof BJ Rao, Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Pankaj Bansal, co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat and Prof Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs at IIT Delhi. Govind Jaiswal, joint secretary at the Ministry of Education, will be the member secretary. According to an education ministry statement, the high-level panel will analyse the end-to-end examination process and also suggest measures to improve the efficiency of the system. The panel will carry out a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the National Testing Agency and suggest measures to strengthen them. The members will also suggest monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance at every level. As per the education ministry, the panel will suggest measures for improvement in data security protocols, evaluate the existing data security process and protocols of the NTA and recommend measures for its improvement. The panel has also been tasked with making recommendations on the organisational structure and functioning of the NTA and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level. “The Committee shall submit its report to the Ministry within two months from the date of issue of this order,” the education ministry statement added.