New Delhi, July 26 (HS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the constitution of a high-powered task force under the leadership of Infosys co-founder and technology expert Nandan Nilekani to recommend comprehensive reforms in the country's examination system with a focus on transparency, reliability and greater use of technology.

In a video message shared on social media, the Prime Minister said the Centre has been taking several measures to safeguard the future of students and strengthen the integrity of examinations.

The government is continuously taking several steps for the future of students. Those who played with the future of students are in jail. Fast-track courts have been set up and we are moving towards bringing a new law with stringent legal provisions, Modi said.

He said the examination system must be reliable, transparent and increasingly technology-driven. Keeping these objectives in mind, a decision has been taken to constitute a high-powered task force under the leadership of world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. Based on its recommendations, necessary steps will be taken at the earliest to ensure the credibility of future examinations, the Prime Minister said.

The announcement comes amid the Centre's efforts to strengthen the examination process following concerns over paper leaks and examination irregularities.

According to the government, the task force comprises experts from technology, education, administration and security sectors. Besides Nilekani, the members include former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

The panel has been tasked with examining structural and technological reforms to improve the conduct of examinations and recommend measures to enhance transparency, efficiency and credibility.

Nandan Nilekani, former Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and co-founder of Infosys, has played a key role in developing India's digital public infrastructure. He is also associated with initiatives such as the eGov Foundation and EkStep Foundation, which focus on technology-enabled governance and education.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar