ISRO Ex-Chief S Somanath to Head Centre’s High-Powered Task Force on Exam Reforms
ISRO Ex-Chief S Somanath to Head Centre’s High-Powered Task Force on Exam Reforms
27 July, 2026: The BJP-led NDA government has constituted a six-member high-powered task force to examine next-generation reforms in India’s education and examination system. The panel will be headed by former ISRO chairman S Somanath.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of the task force on Sunday. The panel brings together experts with experience in space technology, information technology, administration, intelligence and education.
S Somanath, who served as ISRO chairman between 2022 and 2025, will head the task force. During his tenure, India successfully landed Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon’s south polar region. He was also at the helm of the space agency when the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) became operational and its heaviest launch vehicle, LVM3, was adapted for different orbital launches. Before becoming ISRO chairman, Somanath worked extensively in propulsion science and contributed to the development of the LVM3.
Another member of the panel is Nandan Nilekani, co-founder and chairman of Infosys Technologies Limited. Nilekani was the founding chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) from 2009 to 2014 and later served as co-chair of the G20 Task Force on Digital Public Infrastructure for Economic Transformation, Financial Inclusion and Development. He is also associated with the Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects (TAGUP).
Retired Bihar-cadre IAS officer Amrit Lal Meena is also part of the task force. A 1989-batch officer, Meena served as Bihar Chief Secretary from August 2024 to August 2025. He previously served as Secretary in the Ministry of Coal and held the position of Special Secretary (Logistics) in the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. He holds a BTech degree in electrical engineering.
The panel also includes retired Gujarat-cadre IAS officer Anju Sharma, who has been associated with the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020. Her administrative experience is expected to contribute to the task force’s work on education-sector reforms.
Dr V Kamakoti, director of IIT Madras, is another member of the panel. An expert in computer architecture, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, Kamakoti is known for leading the team that developed India’s indigenous microprocessor, SHAKTI. He has also chaired an Artificial Intelligence Task Force constituted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Former Intelligence Bureau chief Tapan Deka completes the six-member panel. A 1988-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, Deka served as IB chief for four years. His career included work in counter-terrorism and intelligence coordination, including a key role in strengthening cooperation between central and state agencies through the Multi Agency Centre.
With specialists drawn from technology, administration, education, space research and national security, the task force is expected to examine ways to strengthen India’s examination system and recommend reforms aimed at making it more robust and future-ready.
