Such experiences have strengthened calls from student activists and opposition politicians to scrap the NTA entirely.
Educators say eliminating the agency will not solve the underlying problem.
The NTA needs deep structural reform to address repeated failures, but abolishing it is not the solution, said M. Jagadesh Kumar, former chairman of India’s university regulator.
“A single national testing authority offers common safety standards, technology, candidate services and results procedures. Creation of many new agencies may lead to duplication of costs and create unequal guarantees,” he told news agency PTI.
Rao agrees.
“It’s not all bad news. The authority has successfully carried out several inspections, as a result of which we have not heard of any leaks,” he said.
He argues that a formal institution staffed with academic, technical and operational expertise is needed to manage a secure examination system.
However, according to some experts, the debate ultimately extends beyond the NTA itself.
Aiyar says the bigger challenge is not just stopping another document leak, but whether a highly centralized testing system can cope with intense competition for limited educational opportunities.
The NTA may be able to make exams safer, she said. “But it cannot, at least on its own, change a system in which millions of students compete for a limited number of places and a single exam can determine their future.”
Some experts say reform must go beyond the NTA itself: India needs an exam system that is less reliant on one-off, high-stakes tests, gives students multiple chances and is better able to withstand disruption.
Rao remains optimistic that the task force led by Nilekani will help plug the gaps in the current system.
But for many students, another committee offers no guarantee unless it produces changes they can actually see.
“I’m studying for the university entrance exam next year,” said the 16-year-old Grade 12 student.
“Mentally I’m prepared for the possibility of a leak. But what can we do about it? I will prepare and hope for the best.”