NEET UG, UGC NET Row: Centre forms high-level committee of experts headed by ex-ISRO Chief, know the members

In an official notice, the Ministry of Education said that the decision has been taken to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of exams through NTA.

Published on: Jun 22, 2024, 16:30:55 IST

By HT Education Desk | Edited by Gaurav Sarma, New Delhi

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The Union Education Ministry officially announced the constitution of a high-level committee of experts that will be headed by a former chief of the ISRO. The development comes amid the uproar concerning the alleged paper leak case in NEET UG, and the cancellation and postponement of the UGC NET 2024.

Union Education Ministry forms a high-level committee of experts that will be headed by a former chief of the ISRO. (HT file image)

In an official notice, the ministry stated that the decision to constitute a High-Level Committee of Experts has been taken ‘to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA).’

Also read: NEET UG Row: Bihar Police detain 6 from Jharkhand's Deoghar in NEET 'paper leak' case, details here

It further said that recommendations will be made on the following:

Reform in the mechanism of the examination process.
Improvement in Data Security protocols.
Structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency.

As per the ministry, the Chairman of the 7-member high-level committee will be Dr K. Radhakrishnan, the former chairman, of ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur.

The other six members of the committee are:

Dr Randeep Guleria (Former Director, of AIIMS Delhi)
Prof. B J Rao (Vice Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad)
Prof. Ramamurthy K (Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras)
Pankaj Bansal (Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat)
Prof. Aditya Mittal (Dean of Student Affairs, IIT Delhi)
Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India)

Also read: Bihar Police obtain reference question papers of NEET exam, plan to tally with seized documents

The ministry said that the Committee would submit its report to the Ministry within two months from the date of issue of this order. Additionally, the Committee can co-opt any Subject Matter Expert to assist them.

Notably, the significant development comes a day after the centre announced the enforcement of the "Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024" which aims to prevent unfair practices in public examinations and common entrance tests conducted nationwide.

The law prohibits the premature disclosure of confidential exam-related information and unauthorized individuals from entering exam centers to cause disturbances. The law entails stringent punitive provisions for those involved in these offenses, including a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.

Also read: Scrapping of exam or re-test for a few, what people said in the HT NEET UG Poll, netizens react to fiasco

Its primary objective is to curb the use of “unfair means” in public examinations and enhance “greater transparency, fairness, and credibility.”

Here is the post by the Ministry of Education:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT Education Desk
For over a decade, the Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk has been a trusted source for accurate, in-depth, and timely news on education and careers. We bring the latest updates on board exams, competitive exams, results, employment news, study abroad, scholarships, and school and college admissions, helping students, job seekers, and educators make informed decisions. Our Coverage Areas 1. Board Exams & Results: Comprehensive reporting on CBSE, CISCE, and state board exams (UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and others), including schedules, admit cards, answer keys, results, and career opportunities. 2. Competitive Exams: Insights into major exams like UPSC, JEE, NEET, GATE, CAT, SAT, and state and central government services. Exam Results: Timely updates on UPSC, SSC, SBI, IBPS, NTA, IIMs, and other competitive exam results. 3. Employment News: Notifications on government and private sector jobs, vacancies, eligibility, application processes, and results. 4. Study Abroad: Information on top universities, courses, tuition fees, scholarships, visa regulations, and career prospects for international students. Features & Analysis: Opinion pieces, expert explainers, deep-dive reports, and interviews with key figures in education. 5. Breaking Education News: Real-time updates on major policy changes, institutional reforms, and trends shaping the education sector. 6. With a commitment to factual, unbiased journalism, HT Digital’s Education Desk has seen continuous growth in readership, offering credible and engaging content tailored for students, parents, and professionals. Meet the Team 1. Nilesh Mathur – News Editor A journalist with 24 years of experience, including 18+ years at Hindustan Times, Nilesh leads editorial planning, ensures factual accuracy, and enhances audience engagement through strategic content. 2. Papri Chanda – Deputy Chief Content Producer With over a decade of experience in education journalism, Papri specializes in exam-related content, study abroad insights, and education trends. She also explores new opportunities in education that benefit students. 3. Bishal – Senior Content Producer Active in the education and jobs sector since 2019, Bishal focuses on tracking developments, analyzing trends, and crafting informative content for students and job aspirants. 4. Gaurav Sarma – Deputy Chief Content Producer A multimedia journalist with 9+ years of experience, Gaurav is skilled in research-based storytelling, feature writing, and reporting on competitive exams, online courses, and education trends. At Hindustan Times Digital Streams – Education Desk, we strive to be the go-to platform for students and professionals navigating the dynamic world of education and careers.Read More

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