India forms Nilekani-led task force to overhaul exam system

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on July 26, 2026, the formation of a high-powered task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend sweeping reforms for India's examination system. The move is aimed at restoring public trust following months of widespread student protests and political pressure over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in competitive exams, most notably the NEET-UG.

In a video message shared on social media platforms, the Prime Minister framed the initiative as part of a broader government effort to safeguard students' futures. He stated that individuals responsible for exam malpractices are in jail and that the government has already established fast-track courts for such cases. Modi also indicated that the government is moving toward enacting new legislation in Parliament with stringent legal provisions to combat exam fraud.

The newly formed task force, under Nilekani's leadership, is charged with examining the entire examination ecosystem. Its mandate includes evaluating ways to integrate secure digital technologies to improve transparency, security, and reliability. The panel will focus on areas such as question paper security,...