PM Modi Announces High-Powered Task Force on Exam Reforms, Nandan Nilekani to Head Panel
New Delhi, 26th July 2026: A day after the ‘Cockroach Party’ protests over the NEET paper leak and examination system concluded, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the formation of a six-member high-powered task force on examination reforms, with Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani set to head the panel.
Modi announced the decision in a video message posted on Instagram at around 7 pm on Sunday, saying the government was taking steps to protect students’ futures and strengthen the examination system.
“Students’ future is extremely important to us. The government is continuously taking steps for it,” Modi said, adding that those responsible for compromising students’ futures had been arrested and were facing legal action.
The Prime Minister said the government had also directed the establishment of fast-track courts and would introduce provisions providing for stringent punishment in Parliament.
However, he stressed that action against those involved in examination malpractice was not enough and that the government also needed to strengthen the examination system for the future.
“We have decided to form a high-powered task force under the leadership of Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani ji, which will focus on examination reforms,” Modi said.
The task force is expected to focus on making the examination system more reliable and increasing the use of technology in conducting examinations.
Nilekani’s experience with government panels
Nandan Nilekani has previously been associated with several government committees and task forces.
- 2009: Appointed the first Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
- 2010: Chaired the Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects (TAGUP) for the Ministry of Finance.
- 2010: Chaired an expert committee on e-governance human resource policy under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
- 2024: Served as a member of the advisory council of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
- 2025: Became chief mentor of the India Energy Stack Task Force.
- 2026: Appointed chairman of the National Examination Reforms High-Powered Task Force.
PM Modi’s recent messages on paper leaks
Modi’s latest announcement comes after two video messages in recent days on examination reforms and the NEET paper leak controversy.
On July 23, Modi posted a video message on social media saying that paper leaks were a serious issue affecting millions of students and their parents. He said several steps had been taken over the previous two-and-a-half months to address the issue and that those accused had been arrested.
Modi also said the government had ordered the creation of fast-track courts to deal with cases related to examination malpractice.
The Prime Minister’s comments came in the wake of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, which has triggered student protests and demands for accountability from the government.
On July 24, Modi posted another video thanking people for their response and suggestions to his previous message.
Paper leak bill to be introduced in Lok Sabha
Meanwhile, the government is scheduled to introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh is expected to introduce the legislation, which seeks to amend the law enacted in 2024 to prevent malpractice in public examinations.
The proposed amendments are expected to provide for stricter punishment and higher fines for those found guilty of examination-related offences. The legislation will also enable state governments and Union Territories to establish special fast-track courts for such cases, with provisions for day-to-day hearings.
The latest announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of examination systems following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and sustained student protests demanding reforms and accountability.
