Kharola Gets Extension As ITPO Chief, To Continue Holding Additional Charge Of NTA

He will continue to hold additional responsibilities as Chairman of the National Recruitment Agency and Director General (DG) of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Kharola, a retired IAS officer of the 1985 batch from the Karnataka cadre, previously superannuated as the Civil Aviation Secretary in the Government of India.

Last month, he was assigned the additional charge of the NTA until a new Director General was appointed. In this role, he will oversee the agency's operations, including the conduct of examinations such as NEET and NET.

His appointment as DG of the NTA came amidst controversy over alleged irregularities in the NEET and NET exams, which triggered nationwide protests by students and prompted opposition parties to criticise the government for failing to conduct the exams properly.

The NTA has been under scrutiny following allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the conduct of exams. Although the agency has denied any wrongdoing, the central government has tasked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with probing the allegations.