Nandan Nilekani heads PM Modi’s high‑level task force to revamp the NTA

In a bid to put the nation’s exam system back on a firmer footing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assembled a star‑studded task force. At the helm is Nandan Nilekani – the man who helped build Aadhaar and UPI – tasked with steering the overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The panel isn’t a random collection of names; it’s a carefully balanced mix of tech wizards, security veterans, logistics gurus and education policymakers. The goal? To make exams more secure, transparent and, above all, trustworthy – something students, parents and institutions have been yearning for after a spate of paper leaks.

First up, Nilekani is expected to push for an end‑to‑end encrypted platform for computer‑based tests, sprinkling in AI‑driven biometric verification to stop impersonation. Think facial‑recognition, fingerprint scans and perhaps even voice checks, all wrapped in a system that keeps candidate data locked tight.

Joining him is IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, who will look after the software and server backbone. His ideas reportedly include AI‑based randomisation of question papers, so each candidate sees a unique order – a clever way to shrink the risk of hacking or screen‑sharing.

Former ISRO chief S. Somanath brings aerospace‑grade reliability to the table. He’s likely to recommend layered verification steps and a zero‑defect mindset from paper‑setting all the way to result declaration.

From the security angle, ex‑Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Deka will advise on real‑time cyber monitoring and intelligence‑gathering, hunting down organised fraud networks before they can strike.

Logistics won’t be ignored either. Amrit Lal Meena, a specialist in supply‑chain security, is expected to push for GPS‑tracked, digitally locked containers for question‑paper transport – think of it as a high‑security vault on wheels.

Finally, education veteran Anita Karwal, former CBSE chairperson and education secretary, will focus on academic policies: standard operating procedures for test centres, transparent evaluation methods, sensible grace‑mark policies and faster resolution of answer‑key disputes.

All members will bundle their recommendations into a report for the government in the coming months. If all goes well, the NTA could emerge as a model of integrity, giving confidence back to millions of aspirants across India.