Pradhan says NTA focuses on ‘stress-free, error-free’ exams

New Delhi: Union education minister says next phase of reforms at national testing agency Dharmendra Pradhan told TOI that the focus will be on creating “stress-free exams” while developing global standard SOPs for conducting “zero-error exams”.“This (stress-free exam) is the biggest challenge before the exam State Administration of Taxationwe are working towards establishing a global benchmarking system,” Pradhan said.The minister said the agency currently tests more than 10 million candidates a year and must “face the challenges and make progress from the experience to date”. “With more than 10 million candidates taking the NTA examination, we must continue to learn from experience, bridge the gaps and strengthen the system to provide fair, transparent and reliable assessment,” he said.The next phase will follow the recommendations of a high-level committee chaired by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, which was set up in June 2024 after repeated disruptions in the national-level entrance exams. The panel submitted a series of recommendations on strengthening exam security, restructuring the institution and improving transparency in assessment and grievance redressal.“The reforms are guided by expert advice and aim to build a strong, technology-driven and responsible testing ecosystem,” the minister said.The ministry is also working to standardize testing protocols across formats.