Published Jul 26, 2026 | 9:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 26, 2026 | 9:33 PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Synopsis: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a ‘high-powered’ task force, headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms to improve the credibility, transparency and technological robustness of India’s examination system, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister. Opposition leaders have criticised the announcement, pointing out that the government has yet to implement the recommendations of the Dr K Radhakrishnan Committee, constituted in 2024 for the same reasons.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 26 July, announced the constitution of a ‘high-powered’ task force, to be headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms aimed at strengthening the credibility, transparency and technological robustness of the country’s examination system.
“Our examination system must be trustworthy. It must be transparent. It must make the maximum possible use of technology. Keeping all these objectives in mind, we have decided to constitute a high-powered task force under the leadership of world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani,” Modi said in a video statement on social media.
“The task force will focus on examination reforms, and based on its recommendations, we will take steps as quickly as possible to ensure the credibility and integrity of upcoming examinations.”
Among the other members of the task force are former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, former ISRO Chairman S Somnath, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
HIGH POWERED TASK FORCE on examination reforms under the leadership of Shri Nandan Nilekani constituted.@NandanNilekani pic.twitter.com/mMpmPdIEL5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2026
The announcement came a day after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) withdrew its agitation “in good faith”, saying the government had accepted all its demands. It also followed Prahlad Joshi assuming additional charge as Union Education Minister, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Earlier, Modi had also announced fast-track courts to deal with cases of exam paper leaks.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the task force formed part of the government’s commitment to comprehensive examination reforms.
“The Modi govt follows the principle of constant reform to safeguard the future of our new generation. PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji has constituted the high-powered task force under the leadership of Shri Nandan Nilekani as a part of the Modi govt’s commitment to comprehensive examination reforms,” Shah wrote.
“The task force will ensure that no one can ever breach the sanctity of our examination system. We will impose exemplary punishment on the culprits of paper leaks and ensure that no one ever dares to commit this crime.”
Opposition leaders have criticised the announcement, asking why the Modi government had constituted another body on examination reforms without first implementing the recommendations of the Dr K Radhakrishnan-led committee, set up in June 2024 after the NEET-UG paper leak and other examination failures to ensure the transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations.
Congress General Secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the committee was little more than a damage-control exercise.
“After the Modi Government has yet again bungled the NEET-UG and other examinations, it has constituted a ‘High Powered Task Force’ to focus on examination reform. The Modi Government has still not finished implementing the K Radhakrishnan Committee’s 101 recommendations. Indeed, for most of the two years between the 2024 and 2026 paper leaks, it didn’t even appoint a full-time Director General for the National Testing Agency,” he wrote in a post on X.
“This is ultimately only a High-Powered attempt to fix the Pradhan Mantri’s irretrievably compromised image.”
CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas asked the Prime Minister to disclose the status of the Radhakrishnan committee’s recommendations.
“Hon PM .. Pl apprise the nation about the status of K Radhakrishnan Committee set up exactly two years back, June 2024, after the NEET-UG paper-leak scandal. What about the 184-page report submitted?” he wrote.
HIGH POWERED TASK FORCE on examination reforms under the leadership of Shri Nandan Nilekani constituted.@NandanNilekani pic.twitter.com/mMpmPdIEL5
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 26, 2026
Similarly, Congress Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdhury alleged that the announcement was a “whitewashing exercise”.
“It’s been over 900 days since the Paper Leak Law was passed in Feb 2024. What action has been taken? NONE?” she asked.
“Congress party has been raising the issue of paper leaks since 2018. No action by Modi Govt in 8 years! Mastermind of NEET-2024 given clean chit by CBI! Why did you lathicharge our children? What about those 25 children who died? Stop fooling the youth of the nation!”
