The Central Government has announced a comprehensive review of India’s examination system by setting up a high-powered reform task force headed by technology leader and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. The initiative aims to improve the security, transparency, and reliability of competitive examinations following concerns over paper leaks and other irregularities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of the committee through a video message, stating that strengthening the examination framework is essential to protect the future of students and rebuild public confidence. He said strict action has already been taken against individuals involved in compromising exam integrity, with several accused facing legal proceedings.

Government Plans Technology-Driven Examination Reforms

The Prime Minister emphasized that India needs an examination system that is transparent, dependable, and capable of meeting the challenges of the digital era. He said the newly formed panel will conduct a detailed assessment of existing examination procedures and submit recommendations for improving the overall process.

The government is expected to consider the committee’s suggestions while introducing reforms aimed at preventing paper leaks, reducing administrative failures, and ensuring a fair environment for students appearing in major entrance and recruitment examinations.

Six-Member Committee Includes Technology, Education and Security Experts

The task force brings together specialists from technology, education, cybersecurity, administration, and national security fields.

The committee will be chaired by Nandan Nilekani, who has played a significant role in India’s technology ecosystem and digital infrastructure development. Other members include former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and management and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

The diverse composition of the panel is intended to provide expertise across multiple areas involved in conducting large-scale examinations.

Panel to Examine Security, Cyber Risks and Exam Management

The committee has been assigned the responsibility of reviewing several critical aspects of the examination process, including question paper protection, digital systems, cybersecurity safeguards, examination centre management, and operational procedures.

Officials said the panel will focus on developing long-term solutions to prevent malpractice and strengthen trust in examinations conducted by government agencies and educational institutions.

The recommendations are expected to address challenges arising from increasing digitization, including data security risks, technology failures, and vulnerabilities in examination management systems.

Nandan Nilekani’s Role in India’s Digital Transformation

Nandan Nilekani is among India’s most prominent technology entrepreneurs. He co-founded Infosys in 1981 along with N. R. Narayana Murthy and other partners, helping establish the company as one of the country’s leading information technology firms.

He later served as Infosys CEO and Managing Director before taking charge as the first Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in 2009. During his tenure, he played a key role in the development of the Aadhaar digital identity programme, which became a major component of India’s digital public infrastructure.

Experts Welcome Focus on Examination Integrity

Education and technology experts have highlighted the importance of combining advanced technology with stronger administrative practices to protect examination systems. They believe effective implementation of the task force’s recommendations could improve fairness, accountability, and confidence among students and parents.

With millions of candidates appearing every year for competitive and government examinations, the government’s latest move is being viewed as a significant step toward creating a more secure and transparent assessment framework.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the Maharashtra Teachers Eligibility Test (Maha TET) paper leak case has arrested the wife of the alleged mastermind as authorities continue to crack down on a suspected interstate examination fraud network.

Suman Kumari Gupta (40), a resident of Patna, Bihar, was taken into custody in connection with the ongoing investigation. She is the wife of Bijendar Kumar Baleshwar Kumar Sah, who has been identified by investigators as the alleged kingpin of the operation and remains absconding. A local court has remanded Gupta to police custody until July 6 for further questioning.

Financial Trail Under Investigation

According to the SIT, Gupta’s alleged involvement emerged during an examination of financial records and communication links between individuals suspected of participating in the paper leak network. Investigators believe she was aware of financial transactions connected to the alleged racket and had contact with several accused persons.

Police are now questioning her to determine the structure of the network, identify additional participants, and trace the movement of funds allegedly used to support the illegal operation.

Look Out Circulars Issued Against Absconding Accused

The investigation has also intensified efforts to locate two absconding suspects. Authorities have issued Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against Bijendar Kumar Baleshwar Kumar Sah and Kapil Dahiya to prevent them from leaving the country.

Investigators allege that Dahiya travelled under a false identity and was part of a group that reached Bhiwandi with the intention of distributing or selling leaked examination papers before the scheduled test. Police claim he escaped before officers could arrest him.

Interstate Network Suspected

According to investigators, Kapil Dahiya, a resident of Haryana’s Sonipat district, allegedly worked alongside Dheeraj Balraj Singh of Panipat, who was arrested earlier during a police operation targeting individuals accused of attempting to sell leaked examination papers.

The SIT believes two separate groups from Bihar and Haryana travelled independently to Maharashtra for the alleged operation. Although the teams reportedly had no direct connection with one another, investigators suspect both were coordinated by the absconding alleged mastermind.

Police further allege that Sah arranged flight bookings, local transportation, and maintained communication with members of the network throughout the operation before going into hiding after the first arrests were made.

Ten Investigation Teams Tracking Wider Conspiracy

To speed up the probe, the SIT has formed ten specialized teams to investigate different aspects of the case, including financial transactions, digital evidence, travel records, and communication networks.

Officials suspect the alleged mastermind may attempt to flee through the India-Nepal border due to his reported links to Bihar’s Samastipur district. The Look Out Circulars have been issued to prevent any international escape and assist law enforcement agencies in locating the accused.

Experts Call for Stronger Anti-Fraud Measures

Cybersecurity experts say organized examination fraud has evolved into sophisticated criminal enterprises involving encrypted communications, financial laundering, interstate coordination, and complex travel logistics.

Security analysts recommend stronger intelligence sharing between investigative agencies, advanced digital forensic capabilities, real-time financial monitoring, and coordinated interstate enforcement to dismantle such syndicates effectively. They also stress that enhanced security measures are essential to safeguard the credibility of public recruitment and competitive examinations across the country.

New Delhi: The Ministry of Education has decided to make the enhanced security system used during the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination a permanent feature of future National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) cycles.

The decision comes after officials reported improved integrity and smoother execution of the re-exam, with no major security breaches recorded. The move is aimed at strengthening exam credibility and restoring confidence in India’s largest medical entrance examination.

End-to-End Security Cover for Exam Process

According to senior officials, the upgraded framework will now be applied across every stage of the examination lifecycle—from question paper creation to final conduct at exam centres.

This includes stricter controls during paper setting, printing, packaging, transportation, and secure storage. Authorities said the system is designed to reduce vulnerabilities that previously allowed for leaks or unauthorized access.

To enhance confidentiality, personnel involved in question paper preparation were placed under strict isolation protocols prior to the exam, with all communication devices restricted during the process.

Expanded National Monitoring Network

During the re-examination, a large-scale monitoring system was deployed across the country, involving hundreds of coordinators and thousands of observers to oversee operations at exam centres.

Special flying squads, district-level control rooms, and digital monitoring teams were activated to track misinformation and prevent circulation of fake paper leak claims on social platforms.

Officials confirmed that this multi-layered surveillance structure will continue as a permanent feature of the exam system going forward.

Biometric Checks, CCTV Surveillance, and Secure Transport

More than 5,000 examination centres were placed under continuous CCTV surveillance, with live feeds monitored through a central control system managed by the National Testing Agency.

Candidates underwent biometric authentication, facial recognition checks, and physical screening before entering examination halls to ensure identity verification and prevent impersonation.

In addition, question papers were transported under armed police escort using GPS-enabled vehicles. In sensitive or remote locations, air transport was also deployed to maintain secure and timely delivery.

Framework to Be Regularly Updated

Officials said the security model will be reviewed periodically and upgraded to address emerging risks, including digital threats and organised leak attempts.

The Ministry emphasized that technology-driven monitoring and strict procedural controls will remain central to ensuring fairness and transparency in future NEET examinations.