PM Modi Forms Nandan Nilekani-Led Panel to Overhaul India’s Examination System

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of a high-powered task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend comprehensive reforms to India’s examination system. The panel has been tasked with improving transparency, strengthening credibility and ensuring the integrity of competitive examinations across the country.Addressing the issue, the Prime Minister said the government has already introduced a fast-track court framework to deal with examination-related cases and is moving towards bringing a new law in Parliament with stricter provisions to curb paper leaks and other irregularities.He stressed that long-term reforms were essential to restore confidence in the examination process and said the government was committed to making the system more transparent, reliable and technology-driven. Greater use of digital tools and modern systems, he said, would help reduce malpractice and improve efficiency.Keeping these objectives in mind, Modi announced that the Nandan Nilekani-led task force would study the existing examination framework and submit its recommendations at the earliest. The government will consider the panel’s proposals and implement measures aimed at ensuring the credibility of future examinations.The announcement comes a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister following weeks of nationwide protests over examination paper leaks. The demonstrations, led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), began at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and gradually spread to several states, with students demanding accountability and systemic reforms.The Centre has maintained that it is committed to addressing the concerns raised by students while strengthening safeguards against future irregularities. Officials believe the proposed legislation, along with the recommendations of the Nilekani-led panel, will lay the foundation for a more robust examination system.The government’s latest move signals an effort to combine legislative action with structural reforms, as it seeks to restore public trust in one of the country’s most important education and recruitment processes.