NTA Takes Steps to Expand Examination Centres Across India

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated steps to expand examination centres across the country for conducting various national-level entrance examinations through online and pen-and-paper modes. The agency has issued a notification inviting applications from universities, national-level educational institutions, colleges and schools equipped with the required infrastructure. Interested institutions can apply through the official NTA website by December 6. According to the prescribed guidelines, offline examination centres must have adequate facilities to accommodate at least 250 candidates, while online centres should have sufficient computers to accommodate 285 candidates per shift.

Earlier, the NTA had approached state governments to establish examination centres exclusively in government educational institutions. However, the response was limited, primarily due to the shortage of computers meeting the required technical standards. Telangana, for instance, has 149 government degree colleges, but only Begumpet Women's College reportedly has the necessary infrastructure to function as an online examination centre. Similar challenges have been observed in several other states. Consequently, the NTA has decided to invite applications from institutions irrespective of their management, provided they meet the prescribed infrastructure requirements. The agency has also invited eligible candidates to apply for the positions of examination observers for online and offline tests by December 6.