In just four months, the new coronavirus outbreak broke the education system and the country 's academic calendar.

Thousands of students and teachers are forced from their homes to continue the teaching-learning process.

Learning lessons from the current pandemic situation, the National Testing Agency ( NTA) is exploring options for developing a mechanism through which future tests can be carried out from home without any scope for unfair practices, said its Chief Vineet Joshi on 30 June 2020.

According to the reports, Mr Joshi revealed this planning during a web-discussion on the future of education.

He further added that the NTA was set up in 2018 and in two years it conducted tests for over one crore candidates. He also talked about the efforts the agency is making to conduct home-based tests. NTA also conducts highly competitive NEET and JEE exams.

Joshi mentioned that the Agency is exploring ways to set up a mechanism that can allow home-based examinations while eliminating the scope for the use of unfair means.

Media reports suggest that a senior NTA official has also confirmed that the Agency is trying to develop the capacity to hold such exams.

The official said, "In fact, the NTA recently carried out a home-based examination for the Indian Sports Authority (SAI). However, no plans are underway to hold larger exams such as JEE or NEET in this mode. NTA is only building capacity for the future.

Keeping in the view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, the HRD ministry is yet to take a call on holding of JEE Mains and NEET 2020 exams which are scheduled in the second half of July.

"While the NTA has made preparations, the guidelines of the Home Ministry have suggested that educational institutions remain closed. The CBSE examinations were also postponed. The task is challenging and the Ministry will soon announce its decision, "said the government official.

During the webinar held on 30 June, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Vice-Chancellor Nageshwar Rao discussed the need to familiarize students with the online mode of testing at a younger age , especially at school level.