New Delhi: In a major move aimed at restoring public confidence in India’s examination system, the Central government has constituted a six-member high-powered task force under the chairmanship of Infosys co-founder and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani. The panel has been entrusted with recommending comprehensive structural and technology-driven reforms to strengthen the integrity, transparency and efficiency of public examinations across the country.
PM Narendra Modi announced the formation of the task force while addressing students through a video message on Sunday. Stressing the need for long-term reforms, the Prime Minister said that while the government has already introduced stricter legal provisions against examination fraud and established fast-track courts to deal with such cases, strengthening the examination system itself remains essential to eliminate recurring paper leaks and restore trust among students.
The newly constituted panel comprises experts from diverse fields, including technology, space science, security, education, academia and public administration. The multidisciplinary composition is expected to help the government formulate practical recommendations that address both technological vulnerabilities and administrative challenges in conducting large-scale competitive examinations.
Heading the task force is Nandan Nilekani, one of India’s most prominent technology leaders and co-founder of Infosys. Widely recognised as the architect behind the Aadhaar digital identity programme, Nilekani is expected to lead efforts to integrate advanced digital technologies into various stages of the examination process. The government has tasked the panel with exploring secure digital solutions for question paper handling, candidate authentication, examination monitoring and result processing to make public examinations more robust and tamper-proof.
Joining Nilekani on the panel is former ISRO Chairman and ex-Secretary, Department of Space, Dr S. Somnath. With nearly four decades of experience in launch vehicle technology and complex space systems engineering, Somnath brings expertise in designing and managing highly secure, technology-intensive projects. His experience in executing large-scale national missions is expected to contribute significantly to developing reliable examination infrastructure and secure technological frameworks.
The task force also includes former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, a veteran IPS officer known for his extensive experience in national security and counter-terrorism operations. Having served as IB Director from 2022 to 2026, Deka played important roles in security operations related to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the Indian Mujahideen crackdown and operations in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the Northeast. His expertise is expected to strengthen the security architecture surrounding competitive examinations and help address organised examination malpractice.
Representing the academic and research community is IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti. A distinguished computer scientist specialising in computer architecture, cybersecurity and VLSI design, Kamakoti has led several national initiatives in microprocessor development and information security. He also serves on the National Security Advisory Board and has previously chaired the Artificial Intelligence Task Force constituted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. His technical knowledge is expected to guide the integration of cybersecurity and AI-based solutions into the examination ecosystem.
Former CBSE Chairperson and senior IAS officer Anita Karwal has also been appointed to the panel. Karwal has more than three decades of experience in public administration, particularly in school education. During her tenure as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education and later as Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy, she played a key role in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and shaping the National Curriculum Framework. Her administrative and educational experience is expected to provide valuable policy insights for examination reforms.
Completing the task force is senior IAS officer Amrit Lal Meena, who has held several important administrative positions, including Chief Secretary of Bihar and Secretary in the Ministry of Coal. Recognised for his expertise in governance, logistics and public administration, Meena is expected to contribute towards improving operational efficiency and streamlining the conduct of examinations across the country.
According to the government, the panel will examine ways to make India’s examination system more transparent, reliable and technology driven. Its recommendations will particularly focus on strengthening the National Testing Agency (NTA), improving the credibility of competitive examinations and introducing structural reforms supported by modern technology.
The Centre has indicated that the recommendations of the task force will serve as the foundation for future examination reforms aimed at preventing paper leaks, improving institutional accountability and ensuring greater fairness for millions of students appearing in high-stakes examinations each year.
The announcement comes amid the government’s broader efforts to tighten the legal framework against examination malpractice through proposed amendments that seek faster investigations, expedited trials and stricter penalties for organised examination fraud. With experts from multiple disciplines working together, the government hopes the task force will deliver lasting reforms that reinforce the credibility and integrity of India’s public examination system.
