Relevance: Governance & Accountability in Education (GS-2) • Source: The Indian Express; Parliamentary Standing Committee Report

A recent report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education flagged serious concerns about the functioning of the National Testing Agency, citing paper leaks, cyber vulnerabilities, and delayed examinations.

Major Findings of the Committee

  • Frequent paper leaks and compromised computer-based tests affected exam integrity.
  • Delayed results disrupted university admission calendars.
  • Despite a ₹448 crore surplus, the NTA has not strengthened its testing infrastructure or security protocols.

Suggestions for Strengthening the NTA

  • Invest in robust test-security systems—digital encryption, audit trails, secure logistics.
  • Where digital risks are high, shift to pen-and-paper formats.
  • Ensure time-bound results, capacity-building, and external oversight for major entrance tests.

Other Findings on Key Institutions

  • Need for better regulation of UGC, NAAC, ICSSR, and autonomous institutes.
  • Strengthen evaluation under the Minimum Qualification Regulations (2025) for higher education governance.

About the National Testing Agency

A statutory autonomous body (2018) under the Ministry of Education mandated to conduct standardised and transparent national entrance examinations.

About Parliamentary Standing Committees

These are permanent legislative committees that scrutinize ministries, policies, and expenditure. They enhance executive accountability, examine Bills, budgets, and institutional performance, and submit reports that guide policy reform—though their recommendations are advisory but highly influential.

Q. With reference to Parliamentary Standing Committees, consider the following statements:

  1. Their recommendations are not binding on the government.
  2. They can review the functioning of autonomous bodies under a ministry.
  3. They exercise judicial powers to enforce compliance with their reports.

Select the correct answer:
 A. 1 and 2 only
 B. 2 only
 C. 1 and 3 only
 D. 1, 2 and 3

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