DELHI: In an answer to the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar revealed that the National Testing Agency (NTA) collected an estimated Rs 3,512.98 crore over the past six years while spending Rs 3,064.77 crore on the conduct of examinations. This resulted in a net profit of Rs 448 crore, according to Majumdar’s statement.
Congress General Secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, has seized upon these figures to criticise the NTA’s financial practices, alleging that the agency’s operations have become a revenue-raising exercise rather than focusing on educational integrity. Ramesh contended that the substantial profit generated by the NTA has not been invested in enhancing the agency’s capabilities or improving oversight of its outsourced vendors.
“The NTA has turned into a mechanism for profit rather than a body dedicated to fostering educational excellence,” Ramesh said on X, referencing ongoing concerns about the agency’s handling of private vendors with questionable credentials. He also criticized the NTA’s leadership, citing its head’s prior involvement in a major public service commission scandal.
Ramesh’s comments highlight a broader criticism of the Modi government’s approach to educational administration, suggesting that the emphasis on revenue generation has undermined efforts to improve the quality and fairness of examinations for millions of students across India.
(with PTI inputs)