"Reliable and transparent": PM Modi announces Nandan Nilekani-led task force for exam reforms

New Delhi [India], July 26 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the constitution of a high-powered task force on examination reforms under the leadership of technology expert Nandan Nilekani, a day after the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2026 examination and paper leaks.
PM Modi said the task force would submit a report and stressed the need for a "reliable" and "transparent" examination system with greater use of technology.
In a video message on X, the Prime Minister said, "The Government of India is continuously taking various measures for the future of students. Those who tampered with the students' future are languishing in jail. We have already established fast-track courts. We are also moving towards enacting new legislation in Parliament that incorporates stringent legal provisions. However, we must look to the future. Our examination system needs to be reliable and transparent, and it must make maximum use of technology."
"Keeping all these factors in mind, we have decided to constitute a high-powered task force under the leadership of the world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. This task force will focus on examination reforms, and based on its report, steps will be taken to ensure the credibility of upcoming examinations at the earliest," he added.
The task force will comprise a multidisciplinary group of experts tasked with suggesting measures to revamp examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), with a focus on technology integration and structural reforms.
The other members of the high-powered task force include former ISRO Chairman S Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation was among the key demands of protesters, while opposition parties had repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed additional charge of the Ministry of Education in New Delhi and said he had started reviewing the ministry's functioning and held meetings with senior officials.
Speaking to ANI, Joshi said, "The Prime Minister has entrusted me with this responsibility with full confidence. I was in Karnataka yesterday. I reached here last night and came this morning to take charge. I have assumed charge. I am reviewing all the details here and the decisions that need to be taken. I have been gathering information and trying to understand the functioning of the entire ministry.'
"We had continuous meetings today. This is a new subject for me. I have taken charge today and held detailed discussions with the senior officers. It is a very big department, so I will speak to you in detail after I have understood it completely," he added.