Former Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka has been named to a high-powered task force set up by the Centre to recommend comprehensive reforms to India’s national examination system, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday. The multidisciplinary panel, chaired by technology entrepreneur and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, will focus on strengthening transparency, security and reliability in national-level competitive exams through structural and technology-driven measures. The announcement came a day after the Centre accepted key demands from the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) amid protests over alleged irregularities, including the NEET UG 2026 question paper leak controversy.
In a video message shared on social media, Mr. Modi said the government has taken sustained steps to protect students’ interests and hold wrongdoers to account. “Those who tampered with the students’ future are languishing in jail. We have already established fast-track courts. We are also moving towards enacting new legislation in Parliament that incorporates stringent legal provisions,” he said, adding that the country must look ahead by making the examination system reliable, transparent and maximally technology-enabled.
The Nilekani-led committee brings together experts from technology, intelligence, education, space research and public administration. Alongside Tapan Deka — a senior IPS officer from Assam with extensive experience in intelligence operations, counter‑terrorism and national security — members include former ISRO chairman S. Somanath, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena. Deka is expected to advise on tightening security protocols and preventing question paper leaks and other forms of examination fraud.
The task force has been asked to propose reforms specifically for the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination system, with emphasis on digital security, examination management, monitoring mechanisms and administrative changes to make competitive exams more tamper‑proof. The Centre has already announced fast‑track courts for examination‑related offences and signalled plans for tougher legal deterrents.
The government says it expects recommendations from the panel that will strengthen institutional safeguards, restore public confidence and ensure a secure, credible process for millions of candidates appearing in national‑level competitive examinations.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/former-ib-director-tapan-deka-joins-pm-modis-expert-panel-to-reform-indias-examination-system-1429974-2026-07-26?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-07-26 22:57:00
