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GS Paper: GS2-10.Government Policies & Interventions…

  • Examination reform: Nilekani task force and Radhakrishnan committee implementation under Supreme Court watch

    The Supreme Court will consult the Nandan Nilekani-led task force at its next hearing on 3 August 2026 regarding the proposed transition of NEET-UG from a pen-and-paper examination to Computer-Based Testing (CBT). The Court is also examining the government’s progress in implementing the K. Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations on examination reforms.

    Key Highlights

    • Implementation review: The Centre has submitted an affidavit on the implementation status of the 101 recommendations of the K. Radhakrishnan Committee.
    • Committee recommendations:
      • 60 short-term and 35 medium/long-term reforms.
      • Restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
      • Introduction of Computer-assisted Secure Pen-and-Paper Testing (CPPT).
      • Adoption of DIGI-EXAM for secure candidate authentication.
    • Infrastructure plan: Establishment of 1,000 Secure Testing Centres across the country.
    • Related development: Concerns over examination integrity have also emerged in the Jharkhand Combined Civil Services Examination, highlighting the need for broader examination reforms.

    About the National Testing Agency (NTA)

    • Established in 2017 as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Education.
    • Conducts major national entrance examinations such as NEET-UG, JEE Main, CUET and UGC-NET.
    • Objective is to ensure fair, transparent, efficient and technology-driven examinations.

    What is Computer-Based Testing (CBT)?

    • Candidates answer questions on a computer terminal instead of paper.
    • Responses are digitally recorded and securely transmitted.
    • Reduces risks associated with paper leaks, manual handling and evaluation delays.

    What is Computer-assisted Secure Pen-and-Paper Testing (CPPT)?

    • Question papers are generated digitally and printed securely at authorised centres shortly before the examination.
    • Minimises transportation and storage of printed question papers.
    • Reduces the possibility of paper leaks while retaining a pen-and-paper examination format.

  • Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 taken up in Lok Sabha

    Why in News

    The Government and the Opposition reached an understanding to end the Parliament deadlock, enabling the Anti-Paper Leak Amendment Bill, 2026 to be taken up for debate in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to strengthen penalties and speed up investigations to curb examination malpractices.

    Key Highlights

    • Stricter punishment: Maximum imprisonment for offences involving unfair means increased to 10 years, from the earlier 3 to 5 years.
    • Higher penalty: Maximum fine for individual offences enhanced to ₹50 lakh.
    • Organised examination fraud: Punishable with a minimum imprisonment of 7 years and a fine up to ₹10 crore.
    • Procedural reforms: Provides for fast-track courts and mandates completion of investigations within two months.
    • Companion legislation: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026 was also introduced during the same session.

    Background

    • The amendment strengthens the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
    • The Act aims to prevent paper leaks, impersonation, organised cheating and other examination-related malpractices in public examinations conducted by designated authorities.

    Objectives

    • Ensure fairness, transparency and credibility in recruitment and entrance examinations.
    • Deter organised examination fraud through stringent penalties.
    • Protect the interests of genuine candidates.
    • Improve the speed of investigation and prosecution.

    Significance

    • Enhances the integrity of public recruitment and competitive examinations.
    • Acts as a deterrent against paper leak mafias and organised crime networks.
    • Strengthens public confidence in examination systems.
    • Supports merit-based selection and good governance.

    [2026] Mr. X, a senior officer, was overseeing a critical vaccination programme during a pandemic. He found that a private service provider responsible for vaccine distribution was compromising on quality to make profits. Despite immense pressure to manage the issue due to vested interests, he raised his voice based on the principles of public administration which he learnt during various training programmes attended across his career. He reported the issue to the appropriate vigilance authority and halted the contract to ensure citizen welfare.
    Which one among the following principles of public administration was most strongly demonstrated by Mr. X’s actions?

    [A] Esprit de corps

    [B] Equity

    [C] Accountability

    [D] Delegation