Centre Restructures NTA Amid NEET Leak Controversy; IRS Officer Akash Jain and IA&AS Officer Aditya Bhojgadhiya Appointed Joint Directors
In a major administrative restructuring aimed at restoring public trust in India’s national examination system, the Central Government has initiated sweeping reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) following continued scrutiny over alleged paper leaks and procedural irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
As part of the overhaul, two senior civil servants — Akash Jain and Aditya Rajendra Bhojgadhiya — have been appointed as Joint Directors in the NTA to strengthen institutional oversight, governance mechanisms and examination integrity.
The reforms come at a critical time when the credibility of national entrance examinations has faced intense public and judicial scrutiny following allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in NEET, one of India’s most significant competitive examinations for medical admissions.
Two Senior Officers Brought Into NTA Leadership
The Ministry of Education has inducted officers from specialised financial and audit services into the NTA’s leadership structure in what is being viewed as a strategic move to improve transparency, accountability and operational controls.
Akash Jain, a senior Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer of the 2013 batch, brings experience in financial scrutiny, compliance systems and investigative oversight. Officials believe his expertise will help strengthen monitoring processes and internal compliance structures within the examination agency.
Joining him is Aditya Rajendra Bhojgadhiya, an officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), who has a background in public auditing, institutional accountability and financial governance.
The appointment of officers from the IRS and IA&AS cadres is widely being interpreted as an effort to improve audit trails, enhance data security and establish stronger internal verification systems in the functioning of the NTA.
Abhishek Singh Leading Reform Process
The institutional reforms are being spearheaded by Abhishek Singh, who recently assumed charge as Director General of the NTA.
Singh has taken over the agency at a particularly sensitive period as India enters the peak examination season between April and June 2026. He has reportedly outlined a strict “zero-error, zero-tolerance” policy aimed at ensuring greater transparency and operational reliability in the conduct of examinations.
Under the proposed reform framework, the agency is expected to focus on strengthening examination security systems, tightening operational protocols, improving accountability mechanisms and eliminating opportunities for malpractice or procedural lapses.
Officials said the objective is to create a more robust and transparent examination ecosystem capable of handling large-scale national tests without compromising integrity.
NEET to Become Fully Computer-Based From 2027
In addition to administrative restructuring, the Ministry of Education has announced a major structural transformation in the format of the NEET examination.
Beginning with the 2027 academic cycle, NEET will reportedly be conducted entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.
The move is aimed at reducing vulnerabilities associated with printed question papers, transportation logistics and physical storage systems — areas that have repeatedly emerged as weak links in previous paper leak controversies.
Authorities believe a fully digital examination system will improve security, minimise human intervention and create better traceability and monitoring throughout the examination process.
Government Focused on Restoring Public Confidence
The latest reforms form part of a broader effort by the Government of India to restore credibility and public confidence in national entrance examinations after repeated controversies involving paper leaks and administrative lapses.
By combining technological modernisation with institutional restructuring and tighter governance controls, the Centre aims to establish a more secure, accountable and resilient testing framework for millions of students appearing in competitive examinations every year.
The overhaul of the NTA is also being viewed as one of the most significant examination governance reforms in recent years, with policymakers seeking to ensure that future examinations are conducted with greater transparency, reliability and fairness.
