- Why in news
- On 28 August 2026, the Ministry of Personnel invited public suggestions for the High-Powered Task Force on public examination reforms, headed by Nandan Nilekani. Inputs are due by 13 September 2026.
- What it is
- The High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) is a government-constituted body set up to recommend reforms in how public examinations are run, secured, designed and governed. Its remit covers exams held by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and other bodies. It is an advisory task force, so its recommendations go to the Government and do not bind it by themselves.
- Chairman
- The task force is chaired by Nandan Nilekani.
- Mandate
- It looks at conduct, security, design and governance of public exams, including those run by the NTA.
- Stated objective
- To build a robust, secure, transparent, equitable and future-ready public examination system.
- Consultation deadline
- Suggestions from stakeholders are accepted until 13 September 2026, in English, Hindi and regional languages.
- Technology area
- One suggested area is the use of technology, including secure Computer-Based Testing.
- Nature of output
- The consultation inputs feed into recommendations made to the Government.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Exam leaks and malpractice damage trust in merit-based selection, so system-wide reform protects fairness for candidates.
- Open consultation with students, parents and experts can make the reforms more legitimate and inclusive.
Problems
- The task force's recommendations are not binding, so outcomes depend on government follow-through.
- Computer-based testing and wide access raise problems of digital divide, infrastructure and language diversity.
Way forward
- Turn recommendations into clear accountability for exam-conducting bodies, with timelines and audits.
- Pair secure technology with accessible test centres and regional-language support.
Put in your answer
Consultation areas: The task force invited views on exam design, governance, grievance redressal, malpractice prevention and student well-being, a useful list of reform dimensions for an answer on exam integrity.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Task force led by Nandan Nilekani on exam reform; lasting topic but no provisions yet, so question unlikely.
Source: PIB, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, 28 Aug, 16:03 IST · Release 294032
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.