Supreme Court Seeks Nandan Nilekani Panel’s Progress Report on NTA Reforms, Says Recommendations Must Be Implemented on Ground

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to place on record the progress made by the high-powered committee headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani on reforms to strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA) and improve the security of competitive examinations.

A Bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe passed the direction while hearing petitions concerning reforms in the NTA following concerns surrounding the conduct and security of NEET-UG and other national-level examinations.

The Court made it clear that merely preparing another committee report would not be sufficient. It wants the recommendations to be examined and translated into an institutional system.

Background

The proceedings arise from petitions seeking structural changes in the functioning of the NTA. The issues before the Court include examination security, manpower, infrastructure, technology and the possible transition of NEET-UG to a computer-based examination system.

The Centre informed the Bench that the Nandan Nilekani-led task force had undertaken extensive consultations and was expected to submit its recommendations by the end of September. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also informed the Court that the Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), was coordinating with the high-powered committee.

The Court also considered the earlier recommendations of the committee headed by former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, stressing that the reform process should move beyond reports and assurances.

During the hearing, the Bench focused on whether the proposed changes would actually become part of the NTA's functioning.

The Court observed:

"Progress is one matter. What are the suggestions made? Most important is institutionalisation of it. We had the Radhakrishnan Committee. So what we have today is only a committee report. It must progress further. Consideration of the recommendations and its implementation is the most important part."

The Bench also questioned the existing manpower structure of the NTA and emphasised the need for permanent personnel rather than excessive dependence on officers working on deputation.

Justice Narasimha further asked about the agency's infrastructure and its coordination with other institutions, including whether legislative support was required for its functioning.

The Court was informed that the NTA now has separate permanent premises near Minto Road in New Delhi.

Justice Narasimha indicated that the Bench may visit the premises to understand how the agency's systems are functioning in practice.

"We'll come and see whether the system is actually in place, whether it is working or not working, manpower, all these things."

The Bench also indicated that it would examine the availability of permanent staff and the institutional arrangements supporting the agency.

The Supreme Court directed the Joint Secretary coordinating with the High-Powered Committee to file an affidavit setting out the progress made by the committee.

The Bench stated:

"Once the affidavit of the High-Powered Committee through the Joint Secretary is placed on record, we will know how it is progressing. We will accordingly deal with it."

The Court directed that the affidavit be filed within the stipulated period and ordered the matters to be listed thereafter.

The proceedings thus remain focused on the implementation and institutionalisation of reforms concerning the NTA and the national examination system.