NTA Floats ₹7.5 Crore Security Tender to Protect Key Infrastructure

August 3, 2026

Following recent high-profile controversies surrounding examination paper leaks, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated a procurement process worth ₹7.5 crore to secure professional, round-the-clock security services for its key infrastructure across New Delhi.

What Happened

The Request for Proposal (RFP), released on July 25, 2026, aims to establish continuous security coverage across the NTA’s headquarters on Minto Road, regional facilities in Okhla, and designated storage and record locations. The mandate focuses on safeguarding critical zones, including areas where confidential examination material is stored, server rooms, strong rooms, warehouses, and record offices. The hired security partner will be responsible for continuous access control, visitor tracking, asset protection, and the safety of agency personnel.

Key Highlights

Contract Value and Duration: The security contract is valued at ₹7.5 crore for an initial period of two years, with an option to extend for up to two additional years on a yearly basis, depending on performance.
Selection Criteria: Replacing the conventional lowest-bidder (L1) procurement approach, the NTA has opted for a Quality-and-Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) model. Technical evaluation carries a 70% weightage, while financial bids account for 30%.
Qualifying Threshold: Participating agencies must score at least 70 out of 100 marks in technical evaluation to qualify for financial bid opening.
Eligibility Requirements: Bidders must have at least five years of experience securing high-risk environments such as Central ministries, public sector units, universities, airports, metro rail systems, or major testing organizations. They must also show an average annual turnover of at least ₹10 crore over the last three financial years.
Financial Deposits: Applicants are required to submit an earnest money deposit of ₹15 lakh along with a performance security of 5% of the total contract value.
Bidding Timeline: Submissions are open on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal until 3 p.m. on August 17, 2026, with technical bids being unlocked on the same day.

Why This Matters

The decision to adopt a QCBS selection model prioritizes technical competence over lower costs to safeguard confidential national entrance examination materials. This security upgrade comes as part of a wider administrative overhaul at the agency, which also includes separate tenders for comprehensive printing services, housekeeping, and specialized waste management.

What to Watch Next

Interested agencies can submit proposals on the GeM portal until August 17, 2026, at 3 p.m., after which the technical bids will be unlocked on the same afternoon for evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities will be covered under the security contract?

The contract covers the NTA headquarters on Minto Road, regional offices in Okhla, and other designated storage, strong room, server, warehouse, and record facilities in New Delhi.

Why is the NTA using the QCBS selection model instead of L1?

Citing the high-stakes confidentiality required for national entrance examinations, the agency selected the QCBS model, giving 70% weightage to technical capability and 30% to financial bids.

Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.