Kerala Minister Slams NTA, Seeks Pradhan's Resignation
Kerala's General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, launched a scathing attack on the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Wednesday, labeling it a 'symbol of corruption and mismanagement'. He demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, holding him responsible for the agency's alleged failures.
Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Sivankutty accused the Central government of jeopardizing the future of lakhs of students by entrusting examinations to 'mafias'. He claimed that the NTA has become a tool for exploitation rather than a fair testing body.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Corruption
The minister cited multiple instances of irregularities in exams conducted by the NTA, including paper leaks and administrative lapses. He asserted that the agency's track record demonstrates a systemic failure to uphold transparency and meritocracy.
'The NTA has betrayed the trust of students across the country. The Union government must take immediate action, starting with the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, who oversees this mess,' Sivankutty said.
Political Reactions and Demands
Sivankutty's remarks come amid growing criticism of the NTA from various opposition parties. Several student organizations have also protested against alleged malpractices in entrance exams like NEET and JEE.
The Kerala minister urged the Centre to conduct a thorough investigation into the NTA's operations and implement reforms to restore credibility. He warned that continued negligence would harm the educational aspirations of millions.
As of now, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has not responded to the allegations. The NTA has previously denied any systemic issues, attributing isolated incidents to human error or technical glitches.
