NTA suspends private agency after power failure disrupts AIAPGET exam in Jaipur

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has suspended the empanelment of a private exam-conducting agency after a power failure disrupted the AIAPGET exam for 49 candidates at a centre in Jaipur. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the NTA confirmed it has issued a show-cause notice to M/s Eduquity Career Technologies Pvt. Ltd., which was responsible for administering the examination. The suspension takes immediate effect pending the outcome of the notice. The incident occurred during the AIAPGET exam, which is designed to assess eligibility for admission into postgraduate medical programmes. At the Shri Satya Sai PG College centre in Jaipur, 192 candidates were scheduled to take the test, but a power outage forced the cancellation of the session for 49 of them. These candidates were unable to complete their exams and have been informed that the test will be rescheduled for September 1, 2026. The new date has been set for the Rajasthan College of Engineering for Women in Jaipur, starting at 10:00 A.M. According to the NTA, further details regarding the rescheduling will be communicated to the affected candidates via revised admit cards. The agency expressed regret for the inconvenience caused and assured that necessary steps would be taken to ensure the smooth conduct of the re-examination. The decision to reschedule follows an internal review of the circumstances surrounding the power failure and the subsequent impact on the candidates. This incident adds to growing concerns about the management and integrity of high-stakes examinations overseen by the NTA. Earlier this week, the NTA announced plans for a re-examination of the UGC-NET in English, commerce, and sociology after errors in the question papers were identified by an expert panel. The errors prompted widespread criticism and raised questions about the reliability of the testing process. The Union education ministry recently directed the NTA to implement stricter measures to prevent future mishaps. As part of these reforms, the NTA has dismissed 600 subject experts suspected of involvement in previous incidents of paper leaks and question errors. Additionally, the agency introduced a four-tier system for reviewing question papers to enhance accuracy and security. It also announced plans to relocate its headquarters from Okhla in south Delhi to central Delhi, aiming to improve oversight and operational efficiency. The recent disruptions highlight ongoing challenges faced by the NTA in maintaining the credibility of its examinations. Over the past two years, several high-profile incidents involving leaked question papers and administrative errors have undermined confidence in the agency’s ability to manage large-scale assessments effectively. These issues have affected millions of students preparing for critical entrance exams and have drawn attention from both the public and policymakers. The suspension of Eduquity Career Technologies Pvt. Ltd. underscores the NTA’s commitment to holding third-party agencies accountable for ensuring the proper conduct of examinations. The show-cause notice serves as a formal warning to the private entity and signals the agency’s intent to enforce strict compliance with established protocols. Until the matter is resolved, the company will remain ineligible to conduct any NTA-administered tests. The rescheduling of the AIAPGET exam for 49 candidates has created logistical challenges for the NTA, requiring coordination with multiple stakeholders to arrange the re-examination. The agency has emphasized the importance of transparency in communicating changes to affected candidates and has pledged to provide timely updates through official channels. The revised admit cards will include specific instructions regarding the new venue and timing of the exam. As the NTA continues to address systemic issues within its operations, the focus remains on restoring public trust and ensuring the fairness and reliability of its examinations. The agency faces mounting pressure to demonstrate tangible improvements in its processes and to prevent similar disruptions in the future. With the upcoming re-examination of the UGC-NET and other high-stakes tests, the NTA must prove its capacity to handle increased scrutiny and maintain the integrity of its assessment systems.