Guwahati: Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka has been appointed as a member of the Centre’s high-level task force tasked with recommending comprehensive reforms to India’s examination system. Infosys co-founder and technology expert Nandan Nilekani will chair the multidisciplinary panel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the constitution of the task force on Sunday, a day after the Centre accepted key demands raised by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) during nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations, including the NEET UG 2026 paper leak.
In a video message, the Prime Minister said the government has taken several steps to protect students’ interests and uphold the credibility of the examination process. He noted that those accused of jeopardising students’ futures have been arrested and are facing legal proceedings.
“We have already established fast-track courts and are moving towards bringing a new law with stringent legal provisions. At the same time, we must prepare for the future by creating an examination system that is transparent, reliable and makes maximum use of technology,” Modi said.
According to the Prime Minister, the committee will recommend structural and technology-driven reforms to improve examination management, strengthen digital security and increase transparency in national-level competitive examinations.
The panel brings together experts from technology, intelligence, education, space research and public administration to develop a more secure and efficient framework for conducting competitive examinations.
Tapan Deka, a senior IPS officer from Assam who recently completed his tenure as Director of the Intelligence Bureau, is among the key members of the committee. Drawing on his extensive experience in intelligence, counter-terrorism and national security, he is expected to contribute to measures aimed at preventing examination fraud, paper leaks and other security breaches.
The other members include former ISRO Chairman S Somanath, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and senior administrator Amrit Lal Meena.
The task force has been specifically mandated to recommend reforms for the National Testing Agency (NTA), focusing on examination management, digital safeguards, monitoring systems and administrative improvements to make the testing process more transparent, secure and tamper-proof.
The committee’s formation follows months of protests by students and youth organisations over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations. Alongside the proposed reforms, the Centre has announced fast-track courts for examination-related offences and plans to introduce stricter legal measures to curb malpractice.
The government expects the Nilekani-led panel to submit recommendations that will reinforce institutional safeguards, rebuild public trust in the examination system and ensure a fair, secure and credible process for millions of candidates appearing in national-level entrance and recruitment examinations.