A GOVERNMENT-constituted task force on Friday invited suggestions on reforms in public examination including “accountability and institutional arrangements”. The Centre had in July announced constitution of the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) with Infosys Co-Founder Nandan Nilekani as Chairperson, to examine and recommend comprehensive reforms related to conduct, security, design and governance of public examinations, and those conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), in a move to address students’ concerns over paper leaks.

 

The task force is examining measures for strengthening institutional systems and processes, ensuring examination integrity and security, deploying appropriate technologies, augmenting examination infrastructure, promoting accessibility and inclusion, and safeguarding student well-being, a statement issued by the Union Ministry of personnel said. The objective is to develop a robust, secure, transparent, equitable and future-ready public examination system, it said. As part of this exercise, the HPTF considers it extremely useful to benefit from the experience, knowledge and perspectives of all stakeholders, the statement said. Suggestions are therefore invited from students and candidates, parents, teachers and academic institutions, examination-conducting and test-indenting bodies and civil society organisations among others.