Who Is Pradeep Singh Kharola The New National Testing Agency Chief Born in 1961, Pradeep Singh Kharola ia a 1985-batch IAS officer belonging to the Karnataka cadet. He graduated with a mechanical engineering degree from Indore University in 1982.Subodh Kumar Singh, Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), was replaced by retired Indian Administration Service (IAS) officer Pradeep Singh Kharola on Saturday.
The NTA chief was replaced by the Centre amidst criticism and protests in various regions regarding alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and the UGC-NET Exam. The government’s official announcement stated that Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola would take on the role of Director General, National Testing Agency, Ministry of Education in addition to his current position as Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation, until a permanent replacement is appointed or until further notice.
Who is Pradeep Singh Kharola 2025?
Born in 1961, Pradeep Singh Kharola is a 1985-batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre. He obtained a mechanical engineering degree from Indore University in 1982. Currently serving as the Chairman and Managing Editor of the India Trade Promotion Organisation, the 63-year-old has previously held positions such as Secretary to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and director of the Union Ministry of Tourism from 2001 to 2004. He was also the Joint Secretary of the National Administrative Reform Commission and received the National Award for e-governance in 2012. Furthermore, he completed his Post Graduation in Industrial Engineering from IIT Delhi in 1984 and was honored with the Prime Minister’s Outstanding Public Administration Award. Additionally, Pradeep Singh Kharola obtained a Masters in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management in Manila, Philippines.
Who is Pradeep Singh Kharola New DG of NTA?
Pradeep Singh Kharola is presently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion and has taken on the role of Director General of National Testing Agency in addition. He is a senior IAS officer from the 1985 batch.
About Pradeep Singh Kharola 2025
Pradeep Singh Kharola, born in 1961, is a distinguished 1985-batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre. He obtained a degree in mechanical engineering from Indore University in 1982. Throughout his career, Kharola has held various key positions and demonstrated exceptional leadership in the civil services sector. His tenure has been marked by a commitment to public service and administrative excellence. Kharola’s contributions have significantly impacted governance and policymaking in India, reflecting his dedication to serving the nation.
Born: 15 September 1961 (age 62 years), Dehradun
Expert committee formed by the Centre
The Union Ministry of Education has established a committee of experts to oversee the fair and transparent conduct of examinations. Dr. K Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman of ISRO and Chairman BoG of IIT Kanpur, will lead the panel consisting of 7 experts. Other members of the committee include Dr. Randeep Guleria, Former Director of AIIMS Delhi, Prof. B J Rao, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Hyderabad, Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus at the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Pankaj Bansal, Co-Founder of People Strong and Board Member of Karmayogi Bharat, Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean of Student Affairs at IIT Delhi, and Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education.
Issue of paper leaks
The NEET exam took place on May 5 at 4,750 centers with approximately 24 lakh candidates. Although the results were initially scheduled for June 14, they were instead released on June 4 due to the early completion of answer sheet evaluations. A record-breaking 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720, including six students from a center in Faridabad, Haryana, sparking concerns about possible irregularities. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the top rank was shared by 67 students due to the awarding of grace marks. NEET-UG, overseen by the NTA, is responsible for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other relevant courses in both public and private institutions nationwide.
National Testing Agency (NTA)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) operates independently under the Department of Higher Education within the Ministry of Education in India. Established in November 2017, its mandate includes organizing entrance exams for admissions and recruitment purposes. The NTA oversees the administration of various national-level exams for entry into engineering, medicine, management, and pharmacy programs at higher education institutions.
Pradeep Singh Kharola’s Early Life
Pradeep Singh Kharola was born into a middle-class family in Delhi. He finished his education at a nearby government school and earned a degree in Economics from Delhi University. With a strong passion for public service, Kharola chose to take the civil services exam.
Pradeep Singh Kharola’s Age
As of 2021, Pradeep Singh Kharola is 56 years old.
Pradeep Singh Kharola’s Career
Pradeep Singh Kharola began his career in the Indian Administrative Service in 1988 and was initially assigned to the Karnataka cadre. Throughout his tenure in the state government, he held various roles such as Deputy Commissioner of Belgaum and Commissioner of Urban Development in Bangalore. Kharola has also had notable positions in the aviation industry, including serving as the Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation and as Chairman of Airports Authority of India. In 2017, he assumed the role of Chairman and Managing Director of Air India, overseeing the national carrier during a period marked by significant challenges such as financial restructuring and operational adjustments. During his time at the helm, Air India introduced numerous strategic measures aimed at enhancing its performance and customer experience.
Pradeep Singh Kharola Images
