NTA mismanagement in Jaipur: MP Beniwal demands probe into Ayurvedic PG exam power failure
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Nagaur MP and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) National President Hanuman Beniwal on 22 August demanded a high-level inquiry into alleged mismanagement during the Ayurvedic PG examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Jaipur. A power outage at an examination centre reportedly disrupted the test, forcing computers to shut down mid-exam and causing significant hardship for candidates.
What Happened at the Examination Centre
According to Beniwal, a power failure at Satya Sai PG College in Transport Nagar, Jaipur, caused multiple computers to shut down during the Ayurvedic PG exam. He stressed that the NTA bears full responsibility for ensuring uninterrupted power supply, adequate technical infrastructure, and emergency backup systems at all examination centres. The disruption, he said, amounted to a 'serious and unfortunate lapse.'
Beniwal's Demand for Accountability
The RLP chief argued that students invest years of effort preparing for competitive examinations, and any technical or administrative failure can have direct consequences on their futures. He described the alleged negligence as an injustice to students and said it cannot be accepted. Beniwal also questioned the Union Education Minister, asking whether the government would take cognisance of the incident and seek an explanation from the officials responsible.
He called for strict action against those found culpable — both NTA officials and those responsible for arrangements at the examination venue — and demanded that effective measures be put in place to prevent similar incidents across the country.
A Pattern of Concerns Around NTA
Notably, this is not the first time the NTA has faced scrutiny over examination management. Beniwal pointed out that questions over the agency's conduct have been raised repeatedly in the past, and the Jaipur incident, he argued, is the latest example of what he termed the agency's 'poor and irresponsible functioning.' The NTA has faced criticism at the national level over examination irregularities in recent years, making this incident part of a broader accountability debate around India's centralised testing infrastructure.
What Happens Next
Beniwal has formally demanded an immediate high-level inquiry and has put the government on notice to respond. Whether the Union Education Ministry or the NTA issues an official response remains to be seen. Affected candidates and medical education stakeholders will be watching closely for any corrective action ahead of future NTA-administered examinations.