What Changes Did High-Powered Committee Suggest in NTA? Education Ministry Responds to RTI

New Delhi: The High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE), which was set up earlier this year to suggest reforms in the examination processes conducted by the National Testing Agency, has recommended reformation of the National Common Entrance Testing including strengthening of NTA, institutional linkage with States, and involvement of Test Indenting Agencies as Knowledge and Examinations partner, the Union Ministry of Education informed in response to a Right to Information (RTI) application.

Dr. Vivek Pandey, a Health Activist, had filed the RTI application seeking details of the reforms in the National Testing Agency. In response, the Union Government has further informed that the Committee has also recommended setting up a High-Powered Steering Committee to monitor the implementation of the HLCE recommendations.

The Union Education Ministry had set up the HLCE on 22.06.2024 to bring in reforms in mechanism of the examination process, improvement in Data Security protocols, and Structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Consequently, the remit of the Committee was further expanded by the Supreme Court, which had earlier issued several directions to the Expert Committee on examination security and administration, data security and technological enhancements, policy and stakeholder engagement, collaboration and international cooperation, support, and training, etc.

Also Read: Will NEET UG 2025 See a New Exam Pattern? Here's What NTA Says

Responding to Dr. Pandey's RTI application, the Union Education Ministry has now informed that the Committee submitted its report to the Ministry on 21.10.2024. 

"The Committee has recommended Reformation of National Common Entrance Testing including strengthening of NTA, institutional linkage with States, involvement of Test Indenting Agencies as Knowledge and Examinations partner etc. The Committee has also recommended constitution of a High-Powered Steering Committee to monitor the implementation of recommendations of HLCE on NTA. The Ministry vide Office Order dated 14.11.2024 has constituted the High-Powered Steering Committee accordingly," informed the Union Ministry.

Sharing the copy of the RTI response on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Dr. Pandey wrote, "Filed an RTI regarding reforms in the NTA, The MOE has constituted a High-Powered Steering Committee (HLCE) based on the recommendations. *Steps like improved data security and exam processes are in focus *Still no confirmation on #NEET 2025 eligibility criteria."

Dr. Pandey had earlier written to the National Testing Agency, asking it to reconsider the proposed changes in the NEET UG examination pattern recommended by a committee headed by former ISRO Chief. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Dr. Pandey had earlier objected to the proposal of introducing an age limit in the undergraduate medical entrance test highlighting that it would disproportionately affect the students from economically weaker sections.

The committee headed by former ISRO chief, Dr. K Radhakrishnan had recommended introducing some major changes in conducting the NEET exam such as holding the exam online or through hybrid mode (when online mode is not possible to implement), not opting for private exam centres, shifting to a 2-phase exam pattern for NEET, and introducing a restriction to the number of attempts to appear in the NEET UG examination.

Dr. Pandey had also expressed his concerns regarding the multi-session online format for the NEET UG examination and as an alternative suggested adopting a two-stage exam format for NEET-UG, similar to the JEE.

Currently, there is no upper age limit for appearing in the NEET UG examination and similarly, there is no limit to the number of attempts allowed to the NEET UG aspirants. However, the candidates must be 17 years old as of December 31 of the concerned admission year.

Also Read: Reconsider proposed changes in age limit, exam pattern for NEET, hold exam in 2 stages: Doctor urges NTA