In a major crackdown in the NEET paper leak controversy, the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/neet-paper-leak-bombay-hc-designates-two-special-courts-in-maharashtra-for-public-exam-malpractice-cases-23641442" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">National Testing Agency (NTA</a>) terminated 47 officials and is set to pursue legal and criminal action against some, officials said on Friday, reported the PTI.
The move comes a day after Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi was shunted out to the Panchayati Raj Ministry.
"The NTA is set to undergo an overhaul and more reformative actions will follow. At least 47 officials have been terminated, and legal and criminal action will be initiated against some of them," a senior official said, the news agency reported.
Outrage surrounding paper leaks and the CBSE digital evaluation glitches has triggered a series of shunting of top officials.
Students'' anger has spilt out in the form of a huge protest that is taking place at Jantar Mantar.
<h2>Expert panel to suggest changes</h2>
The restructuring plan is part of a wider review of the agency&rsquo;s processes to prevent paper leaks and address <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/photo/in-photos-actors-join-in-as-shiv-sena-ubt-leads-massive-protest-in-mumbai-112193" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">concerns raised by students and stakeholders</a>.
One of the major changes likely to be introduced involves reviewing the agency&rsquo;s outsourcing system, with the aim of creating a more secure and leak-proof examination process.
According to sources, a committee of experts will recommend reforms to transform the NTA into a more efficient and reliable organisation, reported the IANS.
The restructuring process is expected to be completed within a month.
The NTA currently conducts several major national-level examinations, including the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and Common University Entrance Test (CUET).
The proposed NTA reforms come shortly after the Centre announced plans for stricter action against examination malpractices.
The Union Cabinet has approved a Bill aimed at strengthening laws related to paper leaks and cheating in competitive examinations. The proposed legislation includes provisions for fast-track courts to ensure quicker trials in such cases, according to the IANS.
The <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/make-statement-in-parliament-instead-of-delivering-one-sided-mann-ki-baat-mallikarjun-kharge-to-pm-modi-23641352" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament</a> soon.
<h2>Fast-Track Courts Proposed for Exam Fraud Cases</h2>
The proposed legislation includes provisions requiring fast-track courts to complete trials and deliver judgments within three months in paper leak-related cases.
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/bill-containing-provisions-for-strict-action-against-paper-leaks-to-be-introduced-in-parliament-pm-modi-23641349" target="_blank" rel="none noopener">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> had earlier said that the government was preparing a comprehensive law with strict punishments for those involved in examination fraud.
(with IANS and PTI inputs)

CJP protest: Centre is likely to announce a major overhaul of the National Testing Agency (NTA), with around 47 officials expected to be removed from post

CJP protest: NTA terminates 47 officials after NEET paper leak, may pursue legal action

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The move comes after months of scrutiny over alleged examination irregularities, including the NEET paper leak controversy and widespread student protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)

NEET paper leak: NTA terminates 47 officials, may pursue legal action

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