Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on August 17, 2026, directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct a thorough audit of its examination processes and submit a detailed corrective-action report. This directive followed concerns regarding recent issues affecting the agency's administration and exam integrity, notably after the NTA decided to re-conduct UGC-NET papers in Sociology, Commerce, and English.
Officials informed the Minister that the NTA has taken internal measures, including removing over 50 staff members and initiating recruitment for 10 professional leadership positions.
These changes aim to strengthen the agency's governance, accountability, and examination management systems. Joshi's audit directive seeks to identify procedural weaknesses and ensure effective corrective actions. The Minister also requested a report outlining actions already taken and further steps needed to prevent irregularities and enhance operational efficiency. The effort is intended to restore confidence in the NTA-managed national examination system.
