National Testing Agency | 10 Jun 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the National Testing Agency (NTA) released the NEET UG results, drawing attention to the unusually high number of candidates scoring a perfect 720/720 and the controversial near-perfect scores of 718 or 719.

The National Medical Commission (NMC) is responsible for laying down policies for maintaining high quality and high standards in medical education and making necessary regulations on this behalf.

What is the National Testing Agency?

About:
- The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established as a Society registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, of 1860.
- It is an autonomous and self-sustained testing organisation to conduct entrance examinations for admission in higher educational institutions.
Governance:
- NTA is chaired by an eminent educationist appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
- The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be the Director-General to be appointed by the Government.
- There will be a Board of Governors comprising members from user institutions.
Functions:
- To identify partner institutions with adequate infrastructure from the existing schools and higher education institutions that would facilitate the conduct of online examinations without adversely impacting their academic routine.
- To create a question bank for all subjects using modern techniques.
- To establish a strong R&D culture as well as a pool of experts in different aspects of testing.
- To collaborate with international organisations like ETS (Educational Testing Services).
- To undertake any other examination that is entrusted to it by the Ministries/Departments of Government of India/State Governments.

National Medical Commission (NMC)

NMC is the apex regulatory body for medical education and practice in India.
NMC was established in 2020 by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI).
NMC consists of four autonomous boards: the Undergraduate Medical Education Board, the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and the Ethics and Medical Registration Board.
NMC also has a Medical Advisory Council, which advises the commission on matters related to medical education and practice.
NMC also regulates the standards and quality of medical education and training, the registration and ethics of medical practitioners, and the assessment and rating of medical institutions.
NMC has also achieved the prestigious World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) recognition, which means that the medical degrees awarded by the NMC are recognized globally.