NTA aims for future ready IT enabled standardized online examination centres

Entrusted with the responsibility of conducting online testing and assessment for admissions into higher education institutions across the country, the National Testing Agency (NTA) now envisages to set up examination centres for online/ computer-based test (CBT).

The move is meant to ensure that the assessments are conducted in a free, fair and secure manner. As per the plans, the NTA wants such examination centres in over 600 districts across the country with a capacity of 2,00,000 candidates per shift.

Each centre will have facility for 250 candidates to undertake the tests. The NTA has sought the assistance of willing higher educational institutions (HEIs).

In a notice, the NTA has requested HEIs to access availability of closed space area and the space will be used for provision of new IT infrastructure by NTA to conduct the exams.

“The NTA will come up with a revenue sharing model for interested institutions who agree to give empty space/area for long duration for the above purpose. The institutions need not pay anything except for making available a dedicated closed space,” the NTA letter read.

Such initiative is likely to assist the NTA in achieving the goal of conducting examination across India in a standardized environment and without any scope of malpractice.

“These examination centres can be utilised by the HEIs to conduct various other ICT based vocational education courses/programmes listed under the National Education Policy (NEP). This will promote and create future ready IT enabled standardised online examination centres,” the letter read.