The recent removal of Subodh Kumar Singh as the chief of the National Testing Agency (NTA) has sparked significant attention due to allegations of irregularities related to the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams. Following these developments, IAS Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the new Director General of NTA, replacing Subodh Kumar Singh.
Pradeep Singh Kharola brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, having previously served as the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India, as well as the Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation. Notably, he played a critical role in Air India during a period when the government was finalizing the modalities for the strategic disinvestment of the national aviation company. His leadership and experience extend to his tenure as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka and his role in the Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) in Karnataka, where he raised funds from international institutions for urban infrastructure development.
Kharola's professional accomplishments are complemented by his notable contributions to the field of public administration and governance. He received the National Award for e-governance in 2012 and the Prime Minister's Outstanding Public Administration Award in 2013. His expertise spans various domains, including urban governance, urban public transport, and policymaking, as well as extensive experience in industrial development, tourism management, public transport systems, and governance reform. Furthermore, his research papers have been widely published in both international and national journals.
