A Rajya Sabha parliamentary panel has summoned senior officials from the Union Education Ministry, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to appear before it over serious concerns about India’s competitive exam system. The officials must appear on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11 AM before the Committee on Government Assurances to answer questions about exam conduct and irregularities.
The summons relates to an assurance the government gave in the Rajya Sabha on November 27, 2024, in response to an unstarred question about the conduct of examinations by the NTA. The committee now wants to know whether the government has fulfilled its promise to ensure fair and transparent examinations. When the Education Ministry replied to the question in November 2024, it stated that the CBI was investigating serious irregularities involving conspiracy, cheating, and breach of trust. By November 22, 2024, authorities had already filed five charge sheets against 45 accused people.
Three top officials have been called to answer questions before the parliamentary panel. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, Abhishek Singh, Director General of the National Testing Agency, and Praveen Sood, Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, must all appear before the committee to provide updates on investigations and government actions.
This parliamentary action follows a string of high-profile exam scandals that have affected millions of students across India. The NEET-UG 2024 paper leak faced massive controversy over alleged cheating and irregularities. More recently, the NEET-UG 2026 medical entrance exam was cancelled nationwide due to a paper leak, leading to Supreme Court notices. Students and educators have protested across India demanding fair and transparent examinations.
The Committee on Government Assurances will examine several critical issues during the hearing. The panel will ask about the progress of CBI investigations into exam irregularities, whether the Education Ministry has kept its promise to the Rajya Sabha about exam conduct, and if the NTA has strengthened its systems to prevent future paper leaks. The committee will also question what actions have been taken against those responsible for exam breaches and what measures will ensure leak-proof exams going forward.
The parliamentary scrutiny reflects growing frustration with India’s examination system. Earlier, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education recommended returning to pen-and-paper exams, noting that computer-based tests are vulnerable to breaches while pen-and-paper exams have remained leak-proof for several years. The committee also recommended that if computer-based tests continue, they should be held only in government-controlled centres to improve security.
After the officials appear on May 29, the panel will prepare a report with findings and recommendations. This report will be presented in Parliament, and the government must respond with concrete action steps. Students, educational institutions, and policymakers are watching closely because the outcome could reshape how India conducts its high-stakes competitive examinations, including NEET, JEE, CUET, and other national tests.
