Amid the ongoing efforts to strengthen examination arrangements following the NEET paper leak row earlier this year, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has invited educational institutions, universities and examination service providers across the country to apply for empanelment as examination centres.The initiative aims to expand the agency’s examination infrastructure for conducting Computer-Based Tests (CBT) and Pen-and-Paper Tests (PPT). Eligible institutions and service providers can submit their applications by December 6.According to the notice, government, aided and private schools, colleges, universities, technical institutes and other eligible organisations can apply. The agency has also specified minimum infrastructure requirements for institutions seeking empanelment.
NTA examination centre empanelment: Who can apply?
The NTA has invited applications from the following institutions and organisations:
- Government, aided and private schools.
- Government and private colleges and universities.
- Institutes of National Importance, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
- Polytechnics and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
- Educational and training institutions.
- Government training and skill development centres.
- Computer-Based Test service providers with dedicated examination centres.
- Other organisations that meet the prescribed infrastructure requirements.
Eligible institutions can apply to become examination centres for NTA-conducted examinations in CBT and PPT modes.
NTA examination centre empanelment: Minimum infrastructure requirements
The NTA has specified different infrastructure requirements for institutions applying to conduct computer-based and pen-and-paper examinations.For Computer-Based Test centres:
- Institutions must have at least 285 workstations per shift.
- Centres must have at least four separate computer labs or halls.
- Each lab or hall should have at least 30 workstations, or an equivalent arrangement.
- Centres with fewer than 285 workstations can also apply. However, they will be considered only in locations where the availability of examination centres is limited.
For Pen-and-Paper Test centres:
- Institutions must have a minimum capacity of 250 seats per shift.
- They must have at least six separate examination halls.
- Each hall should accommodate at least 40 candidates, or have an equivalent seating arrangement.
NTA also invites applications for examination Observers
Separately, the NTA has invited online applications from eligible serving and retired personnel of government institutions for empanelment as Observers.These Observers will be deployed to monitor the conduct of various NTA examinations held in CBT and PPT modes. They will be responsible for overseeing examination arrangements and ensuring that tests are conducted smoothly and fairly.Interested personnel can submit their applications through the Observer Management Portal.
How to apply for NTA examination centre empanelment?
Institutions and examination service providers interested in empanelment should visit the official NTA website and check the detailed Expression of Interest (EoI) notice.Applicants should carefully review the prescribed infrastructure requirements, eligibility conditions and application guidelines before submitting their forms.The last date to submit applications is December 6.
