Amid protests, NTA aims overhaul, goes on recruitment drive

In a bid to rebuild its structure following the recommendations of the Professor K. Radhakrishnan-led High-Level Committee of Experts, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is looking to recruit senior-level officials to overhaul its academic, operational, cyber security, and investigative capabilities.

On Friday (July 25, 2026), NTA, an autonomous body, advertised for vacancies in top-tier senior leadership roles and opened recruitment for young professionals via the UPSC Pratibha Setu portal.

The hiring reforms come amidst massive student protests across the country against the NEET paper leak that has put the functioning of NTA under scanner. Sources said the testing agency fired 47 officials from services, some of whom are set to face legal and criminal action.

NTA has opened hiring for four General Manager positions on a three-year contract basis. These include experts in assessment research, development, and psychometrics who can build item banks, refine normalisation methodologies, manage equating procedures, and spearhead pilots for Computer-Adaptive Testing and AI-assisted assessments.

NTA wants to hire officials who can focus on empanelment standards, capacity planning, exam-day logistics, accessibility for candidates with benchmark disabilities, and multi-agency coordination with State and district authorities.

Another area where the NTA wants to focus on is the cyber-security ecosystem protecting NTA systems, networks, applications, and candidate data. It is trying to recruit senior officials to oversee internal vigilance, digital forensics, and anti-malpractice operations.

Officials said NTA is leveraging the Union Public Service Commission’s Pratibha Setu portal to recruit 16 young professionals. “The portal bridges high-performing Civil Services Examination candidates with specialised administrative roles,” said an official from Education Ministry.

A separate Expression of Interest for fresh empanelment of subject matter experts and translators has also been floated. “This hiring drive is the first stage of a broader restructuring process. Further recruitments across the 10 functional verticals recommended by the High-Level Committee are expected to roll out in the coming weeks,” the official added.