New Delhi: Following the NEET-UG paper leak scandal, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has moved its confidential operations to a new office in central Delhi and tasked the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to guard the premises to strengthen security and avoid future lapses.
Over the past month, the agency has shifted sensitive work, including question-paper handling and other exam-critical tasks, to a dedicated space of more than 55,000 sq ft in the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road.
The NTA has been allotted the fifth floor and parts of the fourth and sixth floors, with certain areas marked as confidential zones where movement will be closely watched.
“Confidential and sensitive operations have been shifted in the last one month to the newly allotted building,” an NTA official said.
CISF To Control Entry, Exit Points
Under the new arrangement, 39 CISF personnel will control entry and exit points at the building. They will carry out frisking, X-ray baggage checks and use door frame metal detectors (DFMDs) for all visitors and staff, as part of efforts to fix the security gaps exposed by the NEET leak, The New Indian Express reported.
“Confidential areas have been demarcated in the building where the movement and operations will be strictly monitored to ensure that a foolproof system is in place. The Union Home Ministry has approved Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security cover for the premises,” the official said.
The move comes after the CBI’s probe into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak found that three subject experts were the main source of the leaked question paper. The agency had no frisking or checking of these experts when they entered or left the confidential section of its earlier office, allowing them to take out question briefs on small chits made from plain sheets meant for rough work and translation. There was also no dedicated CCTV live-feed monitoring control room, the CBI noted.
New Tech Steps To Secure Exams
Besides the tighter physical security, the NTA is also improving its digital systems and exam procedures. These steps follow the suggestions of a high-level committee led by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.