Amid controversies over question paper leaks and grace marks, NTA is hit with another question: Is it a private entity? Claims circulating on social media suggest that it is a private entity exempt from public scrutiny. Senior journalist Pankaj Pachauri fueled the debate by showing NTA’s certificate of incorporation under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, on the X platform, saying, “It is shocking to know that NTA is a private society that decides the future of students to a publicly funded government institution. . No being under RTI = no public scrutiny = no accountability.However, this statement is somewhat misleading.
Is NTA a private entity? Here’s a reality check
Well, NTA was incorporated on May 15, 2018, under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, as an autonomous body with government supervision. It was created with Cabinet approval and got a one-time fund of Rs 25 crore.
The body is managed by a public body, and the chairman is appointed by the Government of India. Apart from this, the Center can issue policy instructions to the NTA, which must be followed. Contrary to these claims, the NTA is subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act. For the organization to come under the RTI Act, the organization must be established with the approval or notification of the government and be substantially funded by the government. The NTA meets these criteria, being the responsible public authority under the RTI Act. The RTI portal lists the NTA as one of the public authorities required to provide information under the Act. Citizens request and receive answers from NTA under the RTI Act.
Implications of incorporation under the Societies Registration Act
Incorporation under the Societies Registration Act gives the NTA considerable autonomy. At the same time, it is subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, as already mentioned. However, there are several other implications of the Societies Registration Act as well!
As a registered society, NTA has a legal identity. This status allows one to enter into contracts, own and hold property, and sue or be sued in one’s name. In addition, the autonomous status allows the NTA to hire professionals with the necessary expertise to organize and conduct examinations.
Despite its autonomous nature, the NTA is not immune from public scrutiny. The Societies Registration Act mandates that registered societies maintain detailed records of their activities, finances, and meetings. This requirement ensures a level of accountability and transparency, helping to build trust among stakeholders, including students, educational institutions, and the general public.
Incorporation under the Societies Registration Act also gives NTA the flexibility to receive grants, donations and other financial assistance from various sources, including government and private entities. The ability to mobilize these resources is essential for NTA to expand its capabilities and improve its services.
How does the NTA function?
Media reports indicate that the National Testing Agency (NTA) functions with a core team of less than 25 permanent employees. Despite its small workforce, NTA conducts more than two dozen major exams, including the competitive NEET UG. Established in 2018, the NTA is designed to emulate the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the United States, which administers exams like the SAT and GRE for college admissions. While ETS employs more than 200 staff members, NTA works with a significantly smaller team, aiming to be a “lean, efficient entity” that focuses on the administration of online exams with the help of reliable technical partners.
To handle tasks such as setting up test centers and securely sending encrypted question papers, NTA outsources to technical partners. These partners are selected through a rigorous process. Tata Consultancy Services is one of the leading technical agencies involved. Although the NTA initially focused on computer-based online tests, it has since expanded to include pen and paper exams, starting with this year’s NEET.
