The National Testing Agency (NTA) is creating a permanent pool of independent observers, including retired armed forces and paramilitary personnel and retired State and Central government officers, as part of a wider overhaul of the examination system following security breaches and allegations of irregularities.
Pradhan’s resignation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the constitution of a high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms to make the exam system leak-proof. A day after Mr. The panel is yet to submit its report.
The application for observers is being sought in three categories: Retired central and state government officers; retired armed forces or paramilitary personnel; and retired or serving teachers and professors from government schools, colleges and universities. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is inviting Expressions of Interest for the empanelment of Observers for upcoming examinations. Applicants must be physically fit for duty and hold a clear disciplinary record. Visit: https://t.co/la8CRBOSRI
We are calling upon dedicated professional including retired or serving government educators, retired government officers (above Pay Level 8), and retired Armed Forces or CAPF personnel to help uphold the integrity of national assessments. Submit your application by scanning the QR code before the December 6, 2026 deadline.
“To meet this requirement in a timely and reliable manner across an annual examination cycle, NTA proposes to build and maintain a standing, pre-verified pool of empanelled Observers, drawn from retired and serving academic and administrative staff of government institutions, from which exam-wise deployment orders can be issued well in advance of each examination,” it added. “For test centres located outside India, NTA shall ordinarily empanel Observers from among Indian nationals resident in the same city as the test centre, including serving and retired officials of the Indian Mission in that country, retired officers of the Ministry of External Affairs, and other Indian nationals of eligible profile locally available,” it said.
The move comes in the wake of the question paper leak of the medical entrance exam NEET-UG earlier this year, which sparked nationwide student protests and led to the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
