IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti said Monday that the government's Exam Reforms Task Force is working to strengthen the security of competitive examinations.

These reforms aim to restore public trust in the national testing system after the NEET paper-leak controversy compromised the integrity of student evaluations. Because millions of students rely on these exams for professional advancement, systemic vulnerabilities in the testing process have created significant social and political pressure for immediate change.

Speaking with CNBC-TV18 on July 27, 2026 [1], Kamakoti said the vulnerabilities that lead to security breaches. He identified the human element as a primary risk factor, saying that the "integrity of question paper setter biggest challenge for paper leaks" [2]. By identifying the question setter as a potential weak link, the task force is focusing on how to isolate the creation of exam materials from potential leaks.

Kamakoti said that the panel's recommendations are aligned with a broader national vision. He said, "The overall objective, as articulated by the Prime Minister in his message," is to ensure a fair and transparent process for all candidates [3]. The task force is exploring the use of technology to minimize human intervention in the distribution and storage of papers.

The director's comments come as the government seeks to implement a more robust framework for high-stakes testing. The goal is to move toward a system where the risk of leakage is mitigated by digital safeguards, and stricter accountability for those entrusted with sensitive materials. This transition is intended to prevent the recurrence of scandals that have previously forced the rescheduling of exams and sparked nationwide protests.

“Integrity of question paper setter biggest challenge for paper leaks”

The focus on the 'question setter' suggests the government is shifting its security strategy from merely protecting the transport of papers to securing the source of the content itself. By leveraging the expertise of academic leaders like Kamakoti and tech figures like Nandan Nilekani, India is attempting to digitize the chain of custody for competitive exams to eliminate human error and corruption.