Major Changes Announced for NEET: ACC Clears Key NTA Appointments; Centre Introduces Sweeping Exam Reforms to Rebuild Trust After NEET Row
New Delhi: In a major administrative revamp intended to restore public trust in the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has cleared the appointment of two senior civil servants as Joint Secretaries and two officers as Directors within the agency.
The reorganization follows intensified scrutiny over recurring allegations of paper leaks and procedural shortcomings in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), among India’s most competitive examinations for admission to undergraduate medical programmes.
At the core of this reform initiative is Abhishek Singh, the newly designated Director General of NTA, who has outlined a strict “zero-error, zero-tolerance” framework for the 2026 examination cycle.
ACC-Approved Appointments in NTA
The ACC has sanctioned the following appointments in the NTA under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education:
Joint Secretaries
Anuja Bapat, Indian Statistical Service (ISS), 1998 batch
Ruchita Vij, Indian Revenue Service (Customs & Indirect Taxes), 2004 batch
Directors
Akash Jain, Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax), 2013 batch
Aditya Rajendra Bhojadhiya, Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS), 2013 batch
These appointments are anticipated to reinforce the NTA’s administrative and operational strength as it pursues a broad transformation of the examination ecosystem.
Read also: Centre Revamps National Testing Agency Amid NEET Leak Concerns; IRS Akash Jain and IAAS Aditya Bhojgadhiya Appointed Joint Directors
NEET to Transition Fully to Computer-Based Testing from 2027
In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Education has declared that NEET will be conducted entirely as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) starting with the 2027 academic session.
The transition is designed to remove vulnerabilities linked to printed question papers, transportation arrangements, and physical storage—areas frequently identified as weak points in examination security.
The move is expected to considerably strengthen confidentiality, lower the possibility of paper leaks, and improve the overall efficiency of the examination process.
Objective: Restore Trust in National Examinations
The reforms are part of a wider government initiative to rebuild confidence in national entrance examinations following controversies involving leaks and irregularities.
By integrating administrative restructuring with technological modernization, the Centre aims to establish a testing system that is more secure, transparent, accountable, and resilient.
Abhishek Singh’s “Zero-Error, Zero-Tolerance” Vision
Director General Abhishek Singh has stressed that the NTA will implement rigorous protocols and stronger monitoring mechanisms to guarantee flawless conduct of examinations in 2026 and beyond.
His “zero-error, zero-tolerance” approach reflects the government’s determination to restore the credibility of national assessments that impact millions of students every year.
About the National Testing Agency (NTA)
Founded in 2017 by the Government of India, the National Testing Agency is an autonomous and self-sustaining testing body under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.
Key Facts About NTA
Established: 2017
Parent Department: Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education
Legal Status: Registered as a society under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860
Core Objective: Conduct transparent, efficient, and standardized entrance examinations for admissions and fellowships in higher educational institutions
Purpose: To relieve organizations such as Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) of testing responsibilities
The NTA presently conducts major national examinations including NEET, Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), Common University Entrance Test (CUET), and UGC-NET.
