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'Rapid, rigorous investigations': NTA revamps top ranks, creates new roles to probe exam malpractices
NTA has advertised senior roles in cybersecurity, exam-centre operations and vigilance as part of its institutional overhaul after exam controversies.
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) has stepped up recruitment for specialised leadership roles covering cybersecurity; test-centre operations; and vigilance, investigation and forensics, with the latter tasked with probing examination malpractice and coordinating with agencies such as CBI, IB, ED and state police.
In its latest advertisement notifications issued on July 25, NTA has advertised individual notifications for hiring General Manager–Test Centre Network & Operations (GM-TCNO), General Manager–Information Security (Chief Information Security Officer/CISO), and General Manager–Vigilance, Investigation & Forensics (GM-VIF) at its New Delhi headquarters.
The recruitment is part of NTA’s ongoing institutional overhaul following controversies surrounding its examinations, including the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The agency had earlier said the creation of specialist positions was the first concrete step in rebuilding its institutional capacity and reducing dependence on contractual and outsourced manpower.
Also read: 3 NTA experts named in CBI's NEET paper leak probe chargesheet, may face life term if proven guilty
Vigilance role to probe exam malpractice
The GM-VIF will be expected to lead “rapid, rigorous investigations” into reports of paper leaks, impersonation and fraud and build a “robust digital forensics ecosystem” to trace cyber threats, analyse social-media intelligence and financial trails.
The officer will also serve as NTA’s principal liaison with the CBI, IB, ED, cybercrime units and state police and travel to investigation sites, partner agencies, courts and stakeholder offices across India as case work demands. “If you have a distinguished background in intelligence, investigation, or anti-fraud operations (CBI, IB, ED, Police, or as a CVO), this is a unique opportunity to build NTA’s internal defense mechanisms and dismantle examination malpractice networks,” NTA said in a post on X.
Also read: From NTA's Delhi building to Pune: How NEET questions made it out
NTA seeks zero-disruption exam delivery
For the GM-TCNO, NTA has listed “zero-disruption exam delivery” across hundreds of centres as a key deliverable.
The officer will also expand the test-centre footprint into Tier-3, Tier-4 and aspirational districts, improve candidate facilities and coordinate with state and district administrations and law-enforcement agencies.
The GM-CISO will be tasked with architecting an “impenetrable security posture” across NTA’s technology systems and operationalising a 24x7 Security Operations Centre (SOC). The position will also oversee compliance with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, CERT-In directions and MeitY guidelines and strengthen security monitoring of technology vendors.
Recruitment drive expands across specialist roles
The latest advertisements follow a series of recruitment drives this year. On May 17, NTA advertised three specialist leadership positions — Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and General Manager-Human Resources (GM-HR)— as part of efforts to modernise the agency.
On July 15, it invited applications for nine senior posts, including three joint directors, two deputy directors, two assistant directors, a research scientist and a senior superintendent (Accounts).
On July 25, NTA had also announced four newly created general manager positions covering assessment research and psychometrics, test-centre network and operations, information security, and vigilance, investigation and forensics, besides 16 young professional positions through the UPSC’s Pratibha Setu portal.
