Nilekani-Led Task Force Invites Public Suggestions on Overhauling India's Public Examination System

Public Consultation on Public Examination Reforms

The High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) on public examination reforms, constituted by the Union Government and headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, has officially invited inputs and recommendations from candidates, parents, teachers, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders across India. The public consultation, announced by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions in a press release issued on August 28, 2026, aims to address widespread structural concerns surrounding the integrity, security, design, and governance of national-level public assessments, including tests conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The window for submitting feedback remains open through September 13, 2026 ^[1][6].

This consultation exercise follows public concerns regarding examination malpractice, notably highlighted by the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026 paper leak controversy that previously prompted the cancellation and rescheduling of the May 3 test. In parallel, the Supreme Court of India has sought updates on the implementation of earlier reform measures suggested by the 2024 expert committee headed by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan, which addressed question-paper security, examination centre management, data protection, and operational safeguards ^[6].

Mandate and Composition of the High-Powered Task Force

The High-Powered Task Force was originally constituted in July 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing its formation on July 26, 2026 ^[1]. The six-member panel brings together expertise spanning administrative leadership, digital public infrastructure, institutional intelligence, and academic research ^[6].

Alongside chairman Nandan Nilekani, who formerly served as the chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), the task force comprises ^[6]:

• S. Somanath, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) ^[6];
• Tapan Deka, former director of the Intelligence Bureau ^[6];
• Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) ^[6];
• Anita Karwal, former Union School Education Secretary ^[6]; and
• Amrit Lal Meena, former Chief Secretary of Bihar ^[6].

The panel's remit covers comprehensive structural and operational reviews rather than examining a single test or isolated technical disruption, approaching the integrity of public examinations as an interconnected, whole-system responsibility ^[8].

Core Focus Areas for Public Feedback

According to the Task Force and official advisories, suggestions are being solicited across multiple dimensions of the examination lifecycle ^[1][8]. The primary themes under review include:

• Conduct and Examination Security: Strengthening protocols surrounding paper distribution, custody chains, centre monitoring, and operational safeguards across testing venues ^[1][8].
• Assessment Methodology and Question Design: Reviewing test formatting, question-paper construction, syllabus alignment, and evaluation reliability across disciplines ^[1][8].
• Technology and Computer-Based Testing (CBT): Evaluating the expansion of secure digital testing frameworks, software verification, and technical standardisation to avoid hardware failures and security breaches ^[1][8].
• Infrastructure Expansion and Accessibility: Ensuring equitable testing infrastructure across diverse geographic regions, with targeted measures to enhance physical, linguistic, and socio-economic accessibility for candidates ^[1][8].
• Malpractice Detection and Institutional Governance: Improving administrative accountability, fraud prevention mechanisms, transparency in results, and robust grievance redressal channels for students ^[1][8].
• Candidate Well-Being: Formulating systemic measures to mitigate excessive psychological stress and support student welfare throughout high-stakes assessment cycles ^[1][8].

Multilingual Submission Channels and Step-by-Step Access

To ensure wide accessibility and broad participation from candidates across diverse linguistic and regional backgrounds, the consultation allows submissions in English, Hindi, and various regional Indian languages. Stakeholders can register their feedback through multiple digital and direct communication channels up to September 13, 2026 ^[1][6]:

• Official Web Portal: Submissions can be filed directly via the government portal at `examreforms-taskforce.dopt.gov.in` ^[1].
• WhatsApp Helpline: Stakeholders can initiate an interactive submission by sending the text "hptf" on WhatsApp to `+91 78270 42830` ^[1].
• Toll-Free Telephone Line: Verbal feedback and inquiries can be shared by calling the national toll-free number `1800-180-4747` ^[1].
• Dedicated Email: Detailed memorandums, reports, and recommendations can be submitted via email to `[email protected]` ^[1].

Policy Implications for the Public Examination Ecosystem

The ongoing public consultation forms the diagnostic evidence-gathering phase within a broader policy reform timeline. Official policy analyses emphasize that this process is designed to collect grassroots operational experiences from candidates, families, educators, civil society groups, and technical professionals before the panel finalizes its formal recommendations to the Central Government ^[1][8].

The resulting recommendations will be reviewed by the Union Government to determine administrative and regulatory policy shifts for bodies such as the National Testing Agency and other public examination authorities, aimed at restoring public trust, reinforcing institutional transparency, and standardising test administration across the country ^[1][6][8].

Sources

1. Exam Reforms: Task Force Seeks Suggestions From Students, Parents For NTA, Other Exams | Education News - Jagran Josh www.jagranjosh.com
2. Nilekani Panel Invites Exam Reform Suggestions - Rediff.com India News www.rediff.com
3. Public Examination Reform: Scope of the High-Powered Task Force - Anantam IAS anantamias.com