SBI Research has recommended a separate law for the National Testing Agency (NTA), backed by an independent governing board, a permanent professional workforce and a dedicated mechanism for examination standards and candidate appeals. The proposals are part of a broader reform agenda for India’s examination and higher education systems.
The report also suggests examining whether Article 21 of the Constitution could be amended to recognise a right to free and fair educational opportunity. The recommendations come amid continued scrutiny of the country’s examination system over concerns and allegations of irregularities in major entrance tests.
SBI RESEARCH CALLS FOR SEPARATE NTA LAW
SBI Research has proposed replacing the NTA’s existing status as a society under the Societies Registration Act with a statutory body established through an Act of Parliament, as reported by ANI.
The agency was established in 2018 and had conducted more than 240 examinations involving over 5.4 crore candidates by July 2024, according to the report.
Given the scale of its operations, SBI Research said the NTA requires a clearly defined legal mandate covering its responsibilities, governance, examination operations and accountability.
The proposed NTA law would be separate from the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which focuses on preventing unfair means and malpractice in public examinations.
INDEPENDENT BOARD PROPOSED FOR NTA
The report has recommended creating an NTA Board comprising independent experts from fields including assessment, technology, examination security, logistics and accessibility.
The Board would provide oversight of the agency and approve examination readiness. It would also oversee vendors involved in examination-related activities.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Director General or CEO would remain responsible for the NTA’s day-to-day functioning but would operate under the Board. SBI Research said this would create a clearer distinction between institutional oversight and routine administration.
NTA TO BUILD PERMANENT IN-HOUSE EXPERTISE
SBI Research has also called for a permanent professional team within the NTA with specialised expertise in assessment, technology, security, examination operations and candidate support.
The report proposes bringing critical examination functions under the agency’s direct control and reducing excessive dependence on outsourced services and infrastructure.
The focus is on ensuring that core capabilities required to design, secure and administer examinations remain within the organisation rather than being dependent primarily on external vendors.
INDEPENDENT BODY FOR STANDARDS AND APPEALS
Another proposal is the creation of an independent Standards and Appeals Body.
It would be responsible for auditing high-risk examination processes and handling final administrative appeals in serious cases.
SBI Research has also called for stronger controls over question-paper custody, independent reviews of examination processes and more effective mechanisms for candidates to raise grievances.
LESSONS FROM CHINA’S GAOKAO
The report has suggested that India could draw lessons from China’s Gaokao, one of the world’s largest examination systems, particularly in areas such as logistics, implementation and managing examinations at scale.
The recommendation forms part of SBI Research’s broader emphasis on strengthening examination systems through better planning, security and independent oversight.
Moreover, the report has gone beyond examination reform and proposed examining whether Article 21 of the Constitution could be amended to support a right to free and fair educational opportunity.
SBI Research said such a right should protect students from fraud, discrimination and unreasonable barriers to education. The report also suggested that reforms to examinations conducted by state public service commissions should form part of the wider examination reform agenda.
INDIA’S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS EXPANDED
SBI Research noted the significant expansion of India’s higher education sector over the past decade.
The number of universities, colleges and standalone institutions reached 64,756 in FY24, while student enrolment crossed 4.5 crore. The number of teachers stood at around 17.32 lakh, according to the report.
Girls accounted for nearly half of total enrolment, highlighting the increasing participation of women in higher education.
SBI RESEARCH FLAGS HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING
Despite the expansion, the report identified concerns over public spending on higher education.
SBI Research noted that higher education’s share of total government expenditure has remained around 1 per cent, compared with 1.6 per cent in FY18.
It has proposed increasing the share to 1.5 per cent and filling vacant teaching positions. Around 34 per cent of sanctioned teaching posts across centrally funded institutions were vacant, according to the report.
The research also called for greater investment in research and development and stronger links between higher education institutions and industry.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING NEEDS FASTER EXPANSION
The report also highlighted the need to expand vocational education and skill development.
According to SBI Research, 30.7 percent of Indians aged 15–29 had received or were receiving vocational training in 2025, up from 7.1 percent in 2018.
While participation has increased substantially, the report called for faster expansion of vocational training to improve employability and strengthen the link between education and labour-market requirements.
WHAT THE PROPOSED NTA REFORM COULD CHANGE
The recommendations seek to give the NTA a statutory foundation, independent oversight, a stronger permanent workforce and clearer accountability for exam operations, vendors, security and candidate appeals.
The report also calls for wider reforms in higher education, including greater public investment, filling faculty vacancies, expanding vocational training and improving access to quality education.
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