New Delhi: The Central Government has constituted a high-powered task force under the leadership of Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms aimed at strengthening India’s examination system. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision on Sunday, saying the panel will work towards making examinations more secure, transparent and technology-driven.
In a video message shared on X, the Prime Minister said the government is committed to safeguarding students’ interests and ensuring the credibility of future examinations. He said the recommendations of the expert committee would form the basis for implementing measures to improve the reliability of upcoming examinations.
Modi also said the Centre has taken strict action against those involved in examination paper leaks, with several accused already in custody. He added that fast-track courts have been established to expedite such cases and that Parliament is considering new legislation with stronger legal provisions to curb examination-related offences.
The announcement comes in the wake of widespread public concern over repeated examination paper leaks and follows the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after protests demanding accountability.
According to the government, the task force will focus on both structural and technological reforms to modernise the country’s examination framework. The panel comprises experts from diverse fields, including former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Kaul, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
Nilekani, who previously served as the founding Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), is widely recognised for leading large-scale digital governance initiatives. He has also co-founded the eGov Foundation and the EkStep Foundation, organisations that promote technology-driven governance and digital learning.
A graduate of IIT Bombay and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Nilekani is expected to lead the committee in developing recommendations to enhance examination security, improve transparency and increase the use of technology in the assessment process.
The government has indicated that the task force will submit its recommendations at the earliest, after which reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in the examination system are expected to be implemented.
