NTA ORDERED TO AUDIT EXAM PROCESSES AFTER UGC-NET ERRORS

August 17, 2026

New Delhi: Amid mounting pressure following administrative lapses, the Union Education Ministry has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct a comprehensive audit of all its examination processes and submit a report on corrective actions taken.

Background and Lapses

The directive follows the NTA's decision to cancel the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exams for three major subjects—English, Commerce, and Sociology—conducted in June 2026. An expert committee established by the agency uncovered severe flaws in the question papers, including:

·         Factual, typographical, and translation errors.

·         Wording mistakes and repeated questions from previous sessions.

The testing agency announced that fresh examinations for the affected subjects will be held on September 9 and 10, 2026, assuring candidates that no additional fees will be charged for the re-test.

Government Response and Overhaul

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi convened a high-level review meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and the NTA. Following the meeting, the ministry ordered a complete overhaul of the Confidential Operations (CONOPS) architecture, proposing tighter security protocols such as secluded rooms, air-gapped systems, and strict device-deposit guidelines.

The disruption adds to a challenging year for the testing body, which previously faced intense scrutiny and widespread protests following the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination earlier in the year. Student organizations have continued to voice strong concerns over accountability and systemic mismanagement at the agency