NTA sacks 47 officials in rejig, to hire 4 GMs, 16 young professionals

NEW DELHI: National Testing Agency has terminated 47 officials and begun rebuilding its workforce with specialist leadership in cybersecurity, forensic investigation, test-centre operations and assessment research, govt sources said Friday. The crackdown follows the NEET-UG paper leak, which forced nearly 20 lakh candidates to take the medical entrance test again on June 21 after the May 3 exam was cancelled. Some of those terminated will also face legal and criminal action based on internal inquiries and inputs from investigating agencies. More measures are expected as responsibility has been fixed for failures in national entrance exams.The first phase of NTA rebuilding its workforce includes four general manager appointments and 16 young professionals through UPSC's Pratibha Setu portal. The recruitment will be overseen by the K Radhakrishnan-led monitoring committee, which will hold its first meeting Saturday, education ministry sources said.