Nandan Nilekani to head Indian task force on exam reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has established a high-powered task force to propose reforms aimed at ensuring fairness in government-conducted competitive examinations. Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has been appointed to lead this committee.

The decision follows the resignation of India's Education Minister and focuses on enhancing the reliability and transparency of the country's examination system, with an emphasis on leveraging technology.

The task force will specifically review the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting national-level competitive exams. Recent disclosures regarding vulnerabilities in the NTA's systems have escalated the urgency for reform.

Other members of the task force include S Somanath, former chairman of ISRO, and V Kamakoti, director of IIT Chennai. The panel is expected to recommend measures to bolster the NTA's technological capabilities and propose structural changes to the examination framework.

Nilekani brings extensive experience in leading major government initiatives, including the establishment of the Aadhaar digital identity system and his advisory role in the development of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).