UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Education Minister tells NTA to audit exam processes, submit corrective action report

Q1. In August 2026 the Union Government conveyed a package of reform measures to the National Testing Agency. Which one of the following was specifically directed to be carried out 'on a war footing'?

  • A. Re-conducting the three UGC-NET papers found to contain multiple errors
  • B. Removal of more than fifty staff members from the agency's rolls
  • C. Complete overhaul of the Confidential Operations (CONOPS) architecture
  • D. Advertising ten new leadership and specialised positions in the agency

Q2. The August 2026 direction to the National Testing Agency to conduct a thorough audit of all its examination processes and to submit a report detailing corrective action taken was issued by which one of the following?

  • A. Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of the expert committee constituted to review the NTA
  • B. The Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India
  • C. The Director General, National Testing Agency, on the orders of the Board of Governors
  • D. Shri Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister of Education, Government of India

Q3. Which one of the following was the first examination conducted by the National Testing Agency, and when was it held?

  • A. JEE (Main), in January 2019, in computer based mode in two shifts a day
  • B. UGC-NET, in December 2018, in computer based mode in two shifts a day
  • C. NEET (UG), in May 2019, in pen-and-paper mode in a single session
  • D. CMAT, in January 2019, in computer based mode in a single session

Q4. With reference to the institutional design approved by the Union Cabinet in 2017, which one of the following best describes the National Testing Agency?

  • A. A society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, headed by a Chairperson who is an eminent educationist
  • B. A statutory body set up by an Act of Parliament, headed by a Chairperson appointed by the President of India
  • C. An attached office of the Department of Higher Education, headed by a Director General of the rank of Additional Secretary
  • D. A government company under the Ministry of Education, governed by a Board of Directors chaired by the Education Secretary

Q5. The High-Level Committee of Experts constituted in June 2024 by the Department of Higher Education to recommend reforms in the examination process and in the structure and functioning of the NTA consisted of how many members in all, including its Chairman?

  • A. Five
  • B. Seven
  • C. Nine
  • D. Eleven

Q6. The decision of the Ministry of Education to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 examination was taken after inputs indicating that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised were received from which one of the following?

  • A. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which was already probing entrance test irregularities
  • B. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team under the Ministry of Electronics and IT
  • C. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. The National Investigation Agency, on the basis of intelligence about an organised network

Q7. Under the categories of qualification used for the National Eligibility Test conducted for the University Grants Commission, a candidate placed in 'Category-2' becomes eligible for which one of the following?

  • A. Award of the Junior Research Fellowship, appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.
  • B. Appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D., but without award of the Junior Research Fellowship
  • C. Admission to a Ph.D. programme only, without eligibility for appointment as Assistant Professor
  • D. Award of the Junior Research Fellowship and admission to Ph.D., but without eligibility as Assistant Professor

Q8. Immediately before the National Testing Agency began conducting the National Eligibility Test in December 2018, that examination was being conducted by which one of the following?

  • A. The University Grants Commission
  • B. The National Council of Educational Research and Training
  • C. The Central Board of Secondary Education
  • D. The All India Council for Technical Education

Q9. Consider the following statements comparing bodies that conduct public examinations in India: 1. Unlike the Union Public Service Commission, which is a body created by the Constitution, the National Testing Agency is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. 2. The Staff Selection Commission conducts open competitive examinations for Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts, whereas the Union Public Service Commission conducts direct recruitment to Group 'A' and Group 'B' (Gazetted) posts. 3. Unlike the National Testing Agency, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection lies outside the ambit of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the Union Public Service Commission, which is a body created by the Constitution, the National Testing Agency is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  2. The Staff Selection Commission conducts open competitive examinations for Group 'B' and Group 'C' posts, whereas the Union Public Service Commission conducts direct recruitment to Group 'A' and Group 'B' (Gazetted) posts.
  3. Unlike the National Testing Agency, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection lies outside the ambit of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, as originally enacted, offences may be investigated by a police officer not below which one of the following ranks?

  • A. Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police
  • B. Inspector of Police or Sub-Divisional Police Officer
  • C. Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police
  • D. Deputy Inspector General of Police or Joint Commissioner of Police