From Isro chief to ex-IB director: Meet 6 members of exam reform task force panel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a six-member task force, led by Nandan Nilekani, to revamp India's examination system. The panel includes former Isro chairman S Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, and senior bureaucrats. The team has been tasked with recommending examination reforms and integrating technology.The panel includes former ISRO chairman S. Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, and senior bureaucrats.Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force on Sunday to overhaul India's examination system and curb recurring paper leaks, with technology expert Nandan Nilekani appointed as its chairman. The six-member panel brings together experts from technology, space, security, education, academia and logistics to recommend structural and technology-driven reforms for public examinations.In a video message to students, the Prime Minister said the government has already taken steps such as setting up fast-track courts and introducing stricter legal provisions against examination fraud. However, he stressed that strengthening the examination system itself is essential to restore public confidence.NANDAN NILEKANI TO LEAD TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN REFORMSBorn on 2 June 1955 in Bengaluru, Karnataka (family originally from Sirsi). He studied at Bishop Cotton Boys' School (Bengaluru) and St. Joseph's High School (Dharwad) before earning a B.Tech. in Electrical Engineering from IIT Bombay.Technology entrepreneur and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani will chair the task force. Widely regarded as the architect of India's Aadhaar digital identity programme, Nilekani is expected to spearhead the panel's recommendations on using advanced technology to make examinations more secure, transparent and efficient. The government has tasked the panel with examining digital solutions that can strengthen every stage of the examination process, from question paper security to candidate verification and result processing.S SOMNATH BRINGS EXPERTISE IN LARGE-SCALE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMSBorn in Thuravoor, Alappuzha district, Kerala in 1963. He completed B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from T.K.M. College of Engineering, Kollam, MTech. in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and later earned a PhD from IIT Madras. Former ISRO chairman S Somnath has been inducted into the task force for his experience in managing complex technological missions and large-scale scientific institutions.Having led India's space agency through several high-profile missions, Somnath is expected to contribute expertise in systems engineering, operational reliability and technology integration.TAPAN DEKA TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY FRAMEWORKBorn on 25 February 1963 in Sarthebari, Barpeta district, Assam. He completed a Master's degree in Physics from the University of Delhi before joining the 1988 batch of the Indian Police Service (IPS).Former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka joins the panel with decades of experience in intelligence and national security.His role is expected to focus on strengthening safeguards against organised examination fraud, identifying vulnerabilities and improving security protocols throughout the examination process.IIT MADRAS DIRECTOR V KAMAKOTI TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC AND TECHNICHAL INPUTSBorn in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in 1968, he obtained a B.E. in Computer Science and Engineering from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering (University of Madras), followed by an M.S. (Research) and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras.V Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, will represent the academic and research community on the task force.Known for his work in computer science and emerging technologies, Kamakoti is expected to help develop technology-backed solutions while also contributing to reforms in examination design and administration.ANITA KARWAL TO OFFER EDUCATION POLICY EXPERIENCEAn IAS officer of the 1988 Gujarat cadre, Anita Karwal has spent over three decades in public administration, particularly in school education. She is an alumna of Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi, where she studied Economics before joining the civil services.Former Education Secretary Anita Karwal has been included for her extensive administrative experience in school education and examination governance.Her policy expertise is expected to help the panel recommend practical reforms that can be implemented across national examination agencies.AMRIT LAL MEENA TO FOCUS ON OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCYBorn in Rajasthan (1965), Amrit Lal Meena is a 1989-batch IAS officer of the Bihar cadre. He completed his higher education before joining the IAS; he has served in several senior administrative positions, including Chief Secretary of Bihar and Secretary, Ministry of Coal.Senior bureaucrat Amrit Lal Meena, known for his administrative and logistics expertise, completes the six-member task force.His experience in managing large-scale government operations is expected to assist the panel in streamlining examination logistics and improving coordination across institutions.PANEL TO RECOMMEND STRUCTURAL AND TECHNOLOGY REFORMSAccording to the Prime Minister, the multidisciplinary task force will examine ways to make India's examination system more reliable, transparent and technology-driven. Its recommendations will focus on strengthening the National Testing Agency (NTA) and improving the credibility of competitive examinations through structural changes and greater use of technology.The Centre has indicated that the task force's recommendations will guide future reforms aimed at preventing paper leaks and restoring confidence in high-stakes public examinations.The announcement comes amid the government's broader push to tighten laws against examination malpractice through amendments that propose faster investigations, expedited trials and tougher penalties for organised examination fraud.- EndsPublished By: Rishab ChauhanPublished On: Jul 26, 2026 20:18 IST