CISF TO SECURE NTA PREMISES AS EXAMINATION SECURITY MEASURES TIGHTEN

September 27, 2026

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has shifted its confidential and sensitive operations to a new facility in central Delhi, where the premises will now receive security cover from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) following the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG question paper leak.

The new facility, located in the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road, spans more than 55,000 square feet. Confidential sections have been specifically demarcated, with stricter controls over movement and access. A total of 39 CISF personnel have been deployed to oversee entry and exit points, frisking, X-ray baggage screening and metal-detector checks.

The security overhaul follows findings cited in the CBI chargesheet into the NEET-UG paper leak. The investigation found that subject experts entering and leaving the earlier confidential section were not subjected to frisking, while the facility also lacked a dedicated CCTV live-feed monitoring control room.

Alongside physical security, the NTA is introducing tighter digital safeguards, including stricter access controls, encryption, tamper-evident storage and enhanced monitoring of examination-critical systems. Security reviews will also cover biometric authentication, face matching, CCTV and live-monitoring infrastructure, while the agency is developing a dedicated cyber-incident response mechanism for examination days.

The measures follow earlier recommendations for strengthening examination security after previous paper-leak controversies, with the NTA also moving towards dedicated information-security oversight and independent cybersecurity audits