PM Modi forms high-powered task force on exam reforms led by Nandan Nilekali

On July 26, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force dedicated to comprehensive examination reforms in India. The committee is led by Nandan Nilekali, founder of Infosys and former UIDAI chief, signaling the government's intent to bring technological expertise to education policy. This decision came just one day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following intense protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and student activists demanding accountability for alleged paper leaks in competitive exams. The task force also includes former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath and IIT-M Director V. Kamakoti among other domain experts.

The announcement represents a significant policy response to weeks of student-led agitations that gripped the nation. Young protesters argued that repeated exam leaks undermined the credibility of competitive examinations used for civil service recruitment, medical admissions, and engineering placements. The movement gained momentum after multiple instances of question paper leaks across NEET, JEE, and other national-level exams. Nilekali's appointment is particularly noteworthy as he had previously served on an exam-related panel constituted by the Supreme Court in 2019 (headed by Justice Singhvi). His inclusion brings continuity to institutional memory.

The task force's mandate includes recommending steps to make the exam system completely leak-proof through technological interventions, digitization of processes, and stronger cyber-security protocols. It will also focus on reducing examination-related stress and making the system more transparent and merit-based. The committee is expected to submit recommendations within a stipulated timeframe, with implementation likely to affect millions of exam aspirants across India annually. Pralhad Joshi took charge as the new Education Minister on the same date.

For UPSC/SSC students, this is crucial: questions will likely ask about the composition of the task force, its mandate, the timeline of events leading to the minister's resignation, and the political/social context of Gen-Z activism in 2026. Mains essays could explore 'Education system reforms in the age of technological disruption' or 'Student-led democratic movements in India.' This represents a significant institutional development in India's examination architecture.