47 NTA Officers Sacked Amid Overhaul; Govt Rejects Education Minister's Resignation and Approves Stiff Penalties for Paper Leaks

Amid ongoing nationwide protests and opposition pressure over exam irregularities, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has dismissed 47 officials as part of a sweeping institutional restructuring, while the Union Cabinet cleared severe anti-paper leak amendments.

Key Highlights:
- NTA Overhaul & Dismissals: 47 officers have been terminated from service, with potential criminal actions being prepared against some. NTA has also initiated recruitment for four senior general managers and 16 young professionals via UPSC's Pratibha Setu portal, following recommendations by the Dr. K. Radhakrishnan-led high-level committee.
- Stance on Dharmendra Pradhan: Sources indicate the central government has rejected Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation, maintaining that systemic reform rather than stepping down is the appropriate path.
- Stringent Anti-Leak Law & Fast-Track Courts: Chaired by PM Modi, the Union Cabinet approved amendments proposing up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to 10 crore rupees for paper leak offenses, with trials directed to special fast-track courts within a 3-month window. The bill is slated to be introduced in Parliament on Monday, which faced repeated adjournments due to opposition protests.