NTA: NTA is in the news for the NEET paper leak; Know how this organization works and what its objectives

NTA: NTA has been in the headlines ever since the NEET paper leak. NTA conducts many major examinations in the country, but do you know what NTA is? When was it established? Who is its head and how many examinations does this agency conduct, let's know...

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an autonomous body that conducts entrance examinations for admission and scholarships in higher educational institutions of the country. National Testing Agency was established in 2017. In December 2018, NTA conducted the first UGC-NET examination.

NTA conducts these major examinations

Some of the major examinations conducted by NTA include JEE Main and Advanced (engineering entrance examinations), NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test - Medical), CUET (Central University Entrance Examination), UGC NET (University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test). Apart from this, this institution also conducts various state eligibility examinations (NET SET), Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) examination, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Postgraduate Entrance Examination (AIIMS PG) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) examinations.

Apart from these, NTA also conducts examinations like CMAT and GPAT. CMAT is conducted for admission in management institutes of the country and GPAT is conducted for admission in masters programs in pharmacy institutes.

Who is on the team of NTA?

NTA has a team of education administrators, experts, researchers, and assessment developers who believe that scientifically designed and properly conducted assessments can improve teaching processes in schools in India. Its nine-member core team includes test item writers, researchers psychologists, and education experts.

What is the objective of NTA?

The objective of NTA is to conduct transparent and international standards examinations to assess the merit of candidates for admission and recruitment.

What is the work of NTA?

It is also the job of NTA to identify experts to select the questions to be asked in the exam and institutes for conducting the exam. Apart from this, it is also the responsibility of NTA to release the syllabus, mock test sample paper, etc. NTA also releases the official notification and application form of the exams.

How is NTA operated?

The administration of NTA is operated through a governing body, which consists of a chairperson a member secretary (director general), and 8 members. The NTA chairperson is appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and is usually a well-known academician.

At present, the chairperson of NTA is retired professor Pradeep Kumar Joshi, former chairman of UPSC. IAS Subodh Kumar Singh is its director general i.e. CEO. He is also appointed by the central government. The Board of Governors includes members of the institutes conducting the test.

How to get a job in NTA?

Recruitment for jobs in NTA is done from time to time as per the need. The information of which is given by NTA on its official website- ntarecruitment.ntaonline.in.