Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force on exam reforms led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani [1].

The move follows a period of instability within the national education system characterized by widespread protests and concerns over paper leaks [4]. The initiative arrives immediately after the resignation of Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan [4], signaling a government effort to restore public trust in the integrity of competitive examinations.

In a video statement from New Delhi on Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Prime Minister said the scope of the new body [2, 3]. The task force is charged with reviewing and recommending reforms to ensure the system is more transparent, and reliable [1]. A primary focus of the mandate is the integration of technology to future-proof the process and prevent further security breaches [1, 2].

Nilekani, known for his role in developing the Aadhaar biometric identification system, brings a background in large-scale digital infrastructure to the role [3]. The government said the task force will address the systemic vulnerabilities that have led to recent failures in exam administration [4].

While the government emphasizes the need for technological modernization, the timing of the announcement is critical. The decision comes after weeks of sweeping protests that demanded accountability for administrative lapses [4]. By appointing a private-sector leader with a track record of digital transformation, the administration is pivoting toward a technical solution for a crisis that has both administrative and social dimensions [1, 3].

The task force will evaluate current protocols and propose a new framework for how national exams are conducted and secured [2]. This process is expected to prioritize the elimination of human error, and the reduction of opportunities for corruption in the testing cycle [1, 2].

“The task force is charged with reviewing and recommending reforms to ensure the system is more transparent and reliable.”

The appointment of Nandan Nilekani suggests the Indian government is treating exam insecurity as a data and systems architecture problem rather than a purely pedagogical one. By leveraging Nilekani's experience with Aadhaar, the state is likely moving toward a centralized, digitally verified identity and delivery system for exams to eliminate the physical vulnerabilities that allow paper leaks to occur.