Supreme Court: Seeks Time-Bound Roadmap for NTA Reforms Implementation

Home / Top Stories Supreme Court Seeks Time-Bound Roadmap For NTA Reforms, Says Radhakrishnan Report Cannot Remain ‘Just A Report’ X Supreme Court sought a progress report on reforms in the National Testing Agency and the implementation of committee recommendations Supreme Court sought a progress report from the Centre on the Nandan Nilekani Committee’s work and directed an affidavit setting out the steps taken towards phased and time-bound implementation of NTA reforms The Supreme Court on Friday sought a status report from the Centre on the progress of reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA), including the recommendations and implementation roadmap being prepared by the Nandan Nilekani-led committee. The Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe was hearing a batch of petitions concerning reforms in the NTA following controversies surrounding the conduct and integrity of NEET-UG and other national-level examinations. The Centre, through Solicitor General Tushar Mehta , informed the Court that the Nilekani Committee had conducted exhaustive consultations and was expected to submit its report by the end of September. Justice P.S. Narasimha asked about the committee's progress and who was assisting it. The Solicitor General said the Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), was assisting the committee. The Court directed that the Joint Secretary indicate the progress made and the suggestions received by the committee. The Bench emphasised that the focus should be on institutionalising the reforms and their actual implementation, rather than merely generating another committee report. Justice Narasimha said: “We had the Radhakrishnan Committee. What we have today is only a committee report, and full stop. The most important thing is evaluation of the recommendations and their implementation.” The Solicitor General submitted that the Nilekani Committee would provide a roadmap setting out what needs to be done, at what stage and within what timeframe. The Court also sought details about the NTA's infrastructure, manpower and functioning. Supreme Court indicates it may inspect NTA premises The Solicitor General informed the Bench that the NTA now has separate permanent premises near Minto Road in New Delhi. Justice Narasimha indicated that the Bench wanted to see the NTA's infrastructure and functioning firsthand. He said: “I and my brother would like to visit the premises, someday.” The Court also stressed the need for institutional permanence within the NTA, including permanent staff. Justice Narasimha said: “Permanency of the place, permanency of at least half of the staff. Not everybody should be a deputationist. There should be permanent staff.” The Court further asked about the NTA's coordination with other institutions and whether its functioning required statutory backing. According to the NTA's affidavit, the agency has moved from exam-specific units towards a functional vertical structure intended to develop specialised, domain-specific capabilities. Its leadership has also been upgraded, with a Secretary-level officer serving as Director General and officers from multiple services and domain specialists being brought in. The affidavit stated that the NTA's confidential operations had been shifted to a dedicated 55,521 sq ft government facility at Minto Road, New Delhi, with security arrangements including CISF personnel, X-ray screening and metal detectors. Court seeks affidavit on implementation of reforms The Bench directed the Joint Secretary, DoPT, who is coordinating with the High-Powered Committee, to file an affidavit indicating the progress made. The affidavit is to be filed within three weeks. The Solicitor General submitted that the reforms would include filling sanctioned posts, creating specialised verticals, appointing domain experts, strengthening infrastructure and further digitisation. The Court also asked whether the reforms would be implemented in phases, particularly kee