UGC-NET Cancelled: Exam Integrity Compromised, Says Ministry
20.06.2024: In a surprising turn of events, the Ministry of Education has canceled the UGC-NET exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) just a day after it was held. Over 9 lakh candidates had appeared for this exam, which determines eligibility for Assistant Professor posts and junior research fellowships in universities and colleges.
Immediate Reactions and Concerns
The cancellation announcement led to immediate reactions, notably from Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who criticized the government for its “laxity” and demanded accountability.
Ministry’s Statement on the Cancellation
The Education Ministry clarified that the UGC-NET exam, conducted on June 18, 2024, in OMR (pen and paper) mode across two shifts, was canceled due to integrity concerns. The Ministry stated, “On June 19, 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. These inputs prima facie indicate that the integrity of the examination may have been compromised.”
To maintain transparency and the sanctity of the exam process, the Ministry decided to cancel the June 2024 examination and announced that it would be rescheduled. The new date will be communicated later.
Investigation and Future Actions
Reports of a potential paper leak have surfaced, although the Ministry has not confirmed these allegations. The matter has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation.
UGC-NET Exam Details
UGC-NET is held twice annually, in June and December. The June 2024 exam was conducted in two shifts, covering 83 subjects in pen-and-paper mode across 1,205 exam centers in 317 cities for 11,21,225 registered candidates. Approximately 81% of the registered candidates appeared for the exam.
NEET Controversy
This cancellation comes amidst ongoing controversy over the NEET-UG 2024 exam. Nearly 24 lakh students appeared for NEET-UG on May 5, with results announced on June 4, ahead of schedule. Allegations of a question paper leak and grace marks given to over 1,500 students have sparked protests and legal challenges, including in the Supreme Court.
The Ministry stated that the issue of grace marks has been addressed and that a detailed report on alleged irregularities in Patna is awaited from the Economic Offences Unit, Bihar Police.
Government’s Commitment
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protecting students’ interests. “Any individual or organization found involved in compromising the exam integrity will face the strictest action,” it emphasized.