The Congress on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to constitute a high-powered task force on examination reforms, alleging that the move is aimed at diverting public attention from the recent examination paper leak controversy rather than addressing the root causes of the crisis. The party argued that the announcement came only after sustained nationwide protests and the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh questioned why the government had announced a new panel instead of implementing the recommendations of the committee formed after the 2024 NEET paper leak controversy. He alleged that the latest task force was an attempt to repair the Prime Minister's public image rather than deliver meaningful reforms to the examination system.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. The panel has been tasked with recommending measures to make India's examination system more transparent, reliable and technology-driven, while also proposing structural reforms to strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA). The government has also announced tougher anti-paper leak legislation to curb examination malpractice.
The political exchange comes amid continuing debate over examination reforms following the nationwide NEET paper leak controversy. While the government has presented the new task force as a long-term reform initiative, the Congress maintains that accountability and implementation of previous recommendations should take precedence over the creation of another expert panel.
