The National Testing Agency (NTA) is preparing to take its examination framework beyond India, with plans to eventually work with international organisations and other countries, including BRICS members. The agency is also examining whether its testing architecture can be developed as a “digital public good” that other countries could adopt, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said to ANI.However, the agency’s immediate priority remains domestic. NTA wants to strengthen its examination systems, tighten security, and reduce the scope for errors and malpractice before taking its testing framework across borders.
NTA wants to strengthen domestic testing first
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, Singh said NTA is currently focused on consolidating its testing framework in India.The objective, he said, is to ensure that examinations are conducted fairly, transparently, and without errors or malpractice. Only after strengthening these systems does the agency plan to explore cross-border examinations.“Cross-border examinations are the next step,” Singh said, indicating that international expansion is a longer-term goal rather than an immediate rollout.The proposed approach could eventually position NTA not merely as an examination-conducting agency for Indian entrance and eligibility tests, but as a provider of testing technology and processes that can be adapted by other countries.
BRICS cooperation may focus on exam security and technology
The agency is also looking at the possibility of exchanging expertise with examination authorities in BRICS countries. Question paper generation, examination security, and technology are among the areas where such cooperation could be useful.Singh referred to China’s Gaokao, its national college entrance examination, as an example of a large-scale testing system that India can study. The examination involves millions of candidates and requires extensive planning, security, and logistical arrangements.The proposed cooperation could therefore go beyond simply comparing examination formats. It could involve sharing knowledge on how question papers are created and secured, how large candidate populations are managed, and how technology can be used to protect high-stakes examinations.
NEET-UG likely to move to computer-based testing
A major change being considered by NTA is the expansion of computer-based testing (CBT). Most of the agency’s major examinations are already conducted through computers, but NEET-UG continues to be held in pen-and-paper mode.Singh told ANI that NEET-UG is expected to move to CBT “very soon.”The transition is being examined by a high-powered task force led by Nandan Nilekani. Moving an examination of NEET-UG’s scale to computers would require a substantial expansion of the testing infrastructure.NTA would have to ensure sufficient secure examination centres, computing capacity, connectivity, and technical support. It would also need robust safeguards against impersonation, unauthorised access, question-paper compromise, and other forms of malpractice.NTA already conducts examinations such as JEE, UGC-NET, CUET, and NIFT through CBT. Singh said the agency intends to eventually move all its examinations to the computer-based format.
AI to be used for detecting examination fraud
Artificial intelligence is another area NTA is exploring as part of its examination-security strategy.Singh said the agency is examining how AI can be used to analyse examination logs, data, and patterns to identify irregularities and help prevent fraud.The proposed use of AI is not limited to conducting tests. Data analytics could help NTA identify unusual patterns in examination activity and flag possible anomalies for further scrutiny.Such systems could become increasingly important as the agency handles examinations involving very large numbers of candidates across multiple locations.
Global testing ambitions depend on domestic reforms
NTA’s international ambitions are closely linked to its ability to strengthen the examination system within India.The agency’s stated sequence is clear: first improve domestic processes, then develop a stronger technology-backed framework and eventually explore international and cross-border testing.If the framework is made sufficiently secure, scalable, and adaptable, NTA could potentially offer its examination technology and processes to institutions or countries outside India.For now, however, the focus remains on making India’s high-stakes examinations more reliable. The proposed transition of NEET-UG to CBT, wider use of AI for fraud detection, and greater cooperation with BRICS examination systems are likely to form part of that effort.