CISF to guard NTA premises: Can tighter security prevent another exam paper leak?
The confidential areas have been demarcated in the building, where movement and operations will be strictly monitored
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now provide security at the National Testing Agency (NTA) premises, a move prompted by recent controversies surrounding alleged paper leaks in examinations like NEET-UG. The CBI investigation into the NEET-UG leak highlighted significant security lapses at the NTA, particularly concerning the inadequate frisking of subject experts who allegedly carried handwritten notes of question papers. As a result, the NTA has relocated to a new, larger office space where enhanced security protocols are being established. These measures include the demarcation of confidential zones, stricter monitoring of access and movement, and the deployment of 39 CISF personnel equipped with X-ray baggage scanners and Door Frame Metal Detectors to ensure a foolproof security system and safeguard the integrity of future examinations.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now provide security at the National Testing Agency (NTA) premises, a move prompted by recent controversies surrounding alleged paper leaks in examinations like NEET-UG. The CBI investigation into the NEET-UG leak highlighted significant security lapses at the NTA, particularly concerning the inadequate frisking of subject experts who allegedly carried handwritten notes of question papers. As a result, the NTA has relocated to a new, larger office space where enhanced security protocols are being established. These measures include the demarcation of confidential zones, stricter monitoring of access and movement, and the deployment of 39 CISF personnel equipped with X-ray baggage scanners and Door Frame Metal Detectors to ensure a foolproof security system and safeguard the integrity of future examinations.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now provide security at the National Testing Agency (NTA) premises, a move prompted by recent controversies surrounding alleged paper leaks in examinations like NEET-UG. The CBI investigation into the NEET-UG leak highlighted significant security lapses at the NTA, particularly concerning the inadequate frisking of subject experts who allegedly carried handwritten notes of question papers. As a result, the NTA has relocated to a new, larger office space where enhanced security protocols are being established. These measures include the demarcation of confidential zones, stricter monitoring of access and movement, and the deployment of 39 CISF personnel equipped with X-ray baggage scanners and Door Frame Metal Detectors to ensure a foolproof security system and safeguard the integrity of future examinations.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now provide security at the premises of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which has faced scrutiny over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the conduct of several examinations, including NEET-UG.
The move comes in the wake of the recent NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which triggered widespread protests by students and led to the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which probed the NEET-UG paper leak case, identified three subject experts as the primary sources of the leaked question paper. The agency found that experts entering and leaving the NTA’s confidential section were not subjected to adequate security checks or frisking, allowing them to allegedly carry handwritten notes containing questions from the examination papers.
The NTA is now operating from the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road, where it has been allotted more than 55,000 square feet of office space.
“The fifth floor and parts of the fourth and sixth floors of the building have been allotted to the National Testing Agency. Confidential and sensitive operations have been shifted to the newly allotted premises over the last one month,” an official told PTI.
The CBI had also pointed to gaps in surveillance at the NTA’s earlier premises. In its chargesheet, the agency noted that the alleged activities of officials went undetected in the absence of a dedicated control room for live monitoring of CCTV feeds.
Under the new security arrangement, designated areas of the NTA office will be classified as confidential zones, with access and movement within them subject to stricter monitoring.
“The confidential areas have been demarcated in the building, where movement and operations will be strictly monitored to ensure that a foolproof security system is in place. The Home Ministry has approved CISF security cover for the premises,” the official said.
As many as 39 CISF personnel have been deployed at the premises. They will oversee security and access-control measures, including screening and frisking of personnel entering the facility. Baggage will be screened using X-ray machines, while Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) will be used at designated access points.
“The CISF is being deployed at suitable locations at all entry and exit points to monitor and regulate access to the confidential areas,” the official added.