National testing agency, more autonomy to place institutes at par globally

Tutorial firms and higher education institutes say the union budget's announcement of an independent national testing agency could bring in more professionalism as well as help avoid legal hassles for institutes conducting entrance tests.

Moreover, while institutes await further clarity on the functioning of the agency, experts and institutes agree the move would standardise testing process throughout the country and help students prepare well.

A director of one of the older Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) said: "It is a good step. There are few court cases against premier institutes while conducting such exams. We will now be