Pralhad Joshi's First Meeting on NTA: Hints At Major Changes to the Examination System

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held his first meeting with officials regarding the National Testing Agency (NTA) since assuming office. Discussions focused on strengthening the examination system, streamlining processes, and ensuring a faster, more effective response to students.

Questions have recently been raised concerning various examinations conducted by the NTA. This meeting has gained particular significance among allegations of a question paper leak for NEET-UG 2026 and student dissatisfaction regarding the delay in releasing the provisional answer key for UGC-NET June 2026.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi held a meeting on Sunday with the Secretary and senior officials of the Ministry of Education to discuss various issues related to the NTA.

Following the meeting, he stated on X that “Convened a meeting with the Secretary and senior officials of @EduMinOfIndia on matters concerning the National Testing Agency (NTA). Deliberated on key matters requiring attention and the steps ahead to further strengthen institutional mechanisms, streamline processes and ensure greater responsiveness to students,”.

X (Twitter) Link: Click Here

Pralhad Joshi stated that the government's objective is to create a robust, transparent, and reliable examination ecosystem that values ​​the aspirations of every student in the country.

In recent times, the National Testing Agency has faced criticism regarding the conduct of various examinations. Allegations of a question paper leak for NEET-UG 2026 have raised fresh questions about the honesty of the examination process.

Additionally, a delay of over a month in releasing the provisional answer key for UGC-NET June 2026 has sparked dissatisfaction among the candidates. Against this backdrop, improving examination management, communication, and student support has become a matter of importance.

While students have voiced complaints regarding the delay in releasing the UGC-NET provisional answer key and results, some clarity has come out as to whether the matter was discussed during Sunday's meeting.

A senior NTA official stated that the delay concerning the UGC-NET answer key or results was not discussed at the meeting. According to him, the topics addressed in the meeting were outlined in the Minister's post on X. In other words, no new deadline for the release of the UGC-NET answer key was announced as a result of this meeting.

Prahlad Joshi has been assigned additional responsibility for the Ministry of Education, alongside his current portfolios of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy.

He assumed the role of Education Minister on July 25, following the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan. Prior to Pradhan's resignation, a long student protest had taken place at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the NEET paper leak controversy, with protesters demanding he step down.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Education, including NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, were present at the meeting. Vineet Joshi also attended the meeting in his capacity as Higher Education Secretary. Reports note his presence despite an existing order regarding a change in his government posting.