AI Can Help, But Trust In Question Setters And Invigilators Remains The Biggest Challenge: IIT Madras Director | Education and Career News
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According to IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, the shift from traditional paper-based exams to objective tests and then to CBT has significantly strengthened examination security.
IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti. (Image: X/iitmadras)
IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti has said that while technology and artificial intelligence can strengthen examination systems, human integrity remains the biggest factor in making competitive exams completely leak-proof.
Kamakoti, who is part of the high-powered task force formed to recommend reforms for National Testing Agency (NTA) examinations, said the credibility of question paper setters and the vigilance of invigilators are the two critical areas that need greater focus to ensure fair and secure examinations.
Speaking to ANI, Kamakoti said technological interventions have significantly reduced the risk of question paper leaks during transportation and distribution. The introduction of computer-based testing (CBT), he added, has brought major improvements in examination security.
“Once CBT was introduced, question paper leaks stopped completely. The question paper is opened only on the morning of the examination,” Kamakoti said, highlighting how digital systems have reduced vulnerabilities associated with physical movement of papers.
He explained that earlier examination systems evolved from subjective paper-based tests to objective assessments using optical response sheets and eventually to computer-based examinations. According to him, these changes have helped eliminate the possibility of leaks during the distribution process.
However, Kamakoti pointed out that technology alone cannot address every challenge. Referring to investigation reports related to recent examination irregularities, he said the focus must now shift towards ensuring trust in those involved in preparing and conducting exams.
“As per the reports from the investigation agencies, the leak happened by the question paper setter. Any system works on trust. There are two sets of people who are to be trusted: the setters and the invigilators at the centre. If the setter is compromised, the whole system shatters, and that is the real challenge. The committee is yet to meet. The biggest challenge is how to build the trust factor in the question paper setters. We will also install AI for invigilators so that we can know when two people are talking. There has to be technological interventions for monitoring that part. The examination that happened in June- everything was taken care of with no complaints. AI may set the question paper, but someone has to vet it,” he said.
Kamakoti said the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan committee, constituted after the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak, helped address vulnerabilities during the transportation and distribution of question papers. He noted that unlike 2024, the NEET-UG 2026 examination did not face issues related to leaks during transit.
The 2024 paper leak had exposed weaknesses in the movement of question papers from printing facilities to distribution centres and examination venues. Following the controversy, the Education Ministry formed a committee to examine the lapses and recommend reforms, many of which were later adopted by the NTA.
The remarks come amid wider efforts to reform the NTA examination system after protests over alleged irregularities in NEET-UG. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a multidisciplinary task force to suggest measures aimed at improving examination security, technology integration, and institutional reforms.
The panel, headed by technology expert Nandan Nilekani, includes former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
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