NTA Confirms It Falls Under RTI Act, 2005 Amid Claims Of Being A Private Body

NEET UG Controversy: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has addressed the recent speculation regarding its status under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

NTA confirms its RTI compliance and autonomy as a government established testing agency. ( Image Source :NTA )

NEET UG Controversy: Amid controversies surrounding alleged irregularities in the NEET UG medical entrance exam and the cancellation of UGC-NET, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has faced calls for its abolition from students and parents. Recently a social media post claimed that the NTA is a private body and not subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act. In response to claims circulating online, the NTA has clarified its position through a post on X.

National Testing Agency (NTA) has been established as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization. pic.twitter.com/itHMQLFWCo

— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 28, 2024

"In pursuance of the Budget Announcement 2017-18 (Para 52) and subsequent approval of the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 10-11-2017, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has been established as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organisation to conduct entrance examinations for higher educational institutions in the country. Accordingly, NTA has been registered as a Society under the Societies (Registration) Act, 1860 vide Registration No. S/ND/914/2018 dated 15-05-2018," said the National Testing Agency in a post on X.

"As per Government of India Order F. No. 35-5/2017-TS.1 dated 05-09-2018, NTA was initially asked to conduct those examinations which were being conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). NTA conducts exams on the instructions of the Government or appropriate authorities, for example, CUET (UG) and CUET (PG) are conducted on behalf of the University Grants Commission. NTA comes under the purview of RTI Act, 2005 as a Public Authority." NTA further added.

Earlier, a social media post claimed that the NTA is a private institution and not subject to the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Senior journalist Pankaj Pachauri shared the NTA’s certificate of incorporation under the Societies Registration Act on X, stating, "It is shocking to learn that the NTA is a private society deciding the future of students for publicly funded government institutions. Not under RTI means no information, no public oversight, and no accountability. This allows the government and the ministry to wash their hands off the scam."

In the recent developments surrounding the NEET UG and UGC NET exam controversy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a criminal case on Sunday to investigate alleged irregularities in the examination conducted by the NTA. The investigation focuses on specific incidents during the NEET (UG) 2024 exam held on May 5, 2024, in a few states. Two people, Manish Prakash and Ashutosh, were arrested in Patna by the CBI on Thursday in connection with this case.