NANDAN NILEKANI TASK FORCE: TRANSFORMING INDIA'S PUBLIC EXAMINATION SYSTEM

Why In News?

The Union Government constituted a high-powered task force under Nandan Nilekani.

Why was the Task Force constituted?

The Union Government constituted a High-Powered Exam Reforms Task Force under Nandan Nilekani, following nationwide student protests over repeated paper leaks, examination irregularities and transparency concerns in major public examinations.

Objectives of the Task Force

• Develop a technology-driven, transparent and leak-proof examination system.

• Recommend structural reforms for the National Testing Agency (NTA).

• Improve cybersecurity and digital examination infrastructure.

• Prevent paper leaks through end-to-end encryption and secure logistics.

• Restore public confidence in competitive examinations.

• Build a long-term roadmap for modern public examination governance.

Expected Focus Areas

• Secure Computer-Based Testing (CBT)

• AI-based exam monitoring

• Biometric authentication

• Encrypted digital question-paper delivery

• Cybersecurity audits

• Risk analytics and fraud detection

• Stronger governance and accountability in NTA

• Standardised national examination protocols

• Digital grievance redressal system

• Integration with India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

About Nandan Nilekani

Career Highlights

• Co-founder of Infosys (1981), one of India's largest IT services companies.

• Served as CEO of Infosys (2002–2007), during which the company's revenue grew nearly six-fold.

Role in India's Digital Transformation

• Founding Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) from 2009 to 2014, with Cabinet-rank status.

• Led the design and implementation of Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric digital identity programme, covering more than 1.4 billion enrolments over time.

• Played a key role in advancing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including contributions to the ecosystem that enabled Aadhaar, e-KYC, DigiLocker and UPI.

Public Policy & Institutional Contributions

• Chaired the Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects (TAGUP).

• Chairs the EkStep Foundation, which develops open digital learning platforms to improve foundational literacy and numeracy.

• Serves on the boards and advisory bodies of institutions such as ICRIER and the World Economic Forum Foundation.

Books

• Imagining India: The Idea of a Renewed Nation (2008)

• Rebooting India: Realizing a Billion Aspirations (co-authored, 2015)

Awards & Honours

• Padma Bhushan (2006) – India's third-highest civilian award.

• Forbes Asia Businessman of the Year (2006).

• Featured in TIME 100 among the world's most influential people (2006 and 2009).

Source: THEHINDU