Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, detailed a reform plan to make India's national examinations leak-proof through AI and technology integration.

These reforms aim to restore public confidence in the National Testing Agency (NTA) after repeated paper-leak incidents. By implementing structural changes and stricter oversight, the Prime Minister's Clean Exam Task Force intends to modernize the examination process to prevent future breaches.

Kamakoti, a member of the task force, said that technology is non-negotiable for ensuring a leak-proof examination system [1]. The proposed strategy focuses on AI-driven verification, and establishing stronger accountability during the question-setting phase [2]. These measures are designed to remove human vulnerabilities that have historically led to leaks.

As part of these efforts, the government implemented a temporary restriction on Telegram ahead of the NEET UG 2026 retest, which was scheduled for June 21, 2026 [3]. Kamakoti said the decision to curb the messaging platform was based on the app's vulnerabilities that had been exploited in the past [4].

He specifically pointed to the ability of users to edit messages as a primary concern. Kamakoti said that Telegram allows users to edit messages, which can be misused to create fake leak claims [4]. Such misinformation can cause widespread panic and disrupt the integrity of the testing environment.

The reform plan emphasizes a transition toward a more digital-centric infrastructure to minimize physical handling of sensitive materials. This shift is intended to create a transparent trail of accountability for every individual involved in the examination pipeline, from the initial drafting of questions to the final delivery of the papers.

“Technology is non-negotiable for ensuring a leak-proof examination system.”

The integration of AI and the restriction of specific communication platforms signal a shift toward a more aggressive, surveillance-based approach to academic integrity in India. By prioritizing technological safeguards over traditional administrative methods, the government is attempting to eliminate human error and bad actors from the NTA's workflow, though this may raise long-term questions regarding digital privacy and the balance between security and accessibility.