In a dramatic turn of events, the Ministry of Education has cancelled 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 crucial exam, which determines eligibility for Assistant Professor posts and junior research fellowships in universities and colleges.
The announcement came amidst growing controversy over the NEET-UG 2024 exam, further igniting debates on the integrity of national examinations. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra swiftly criticized the government for its “laxity” and demanded accountability.
The Education Ministry explained that the June 2024 UGC-NET exam was conducted on Tuesday in OMR (pen and paper) mode across two shifts nationwide. However, on June 19, 2024, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received reports from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit indicating potential compromises in the exam’s integrity.
To “ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity,” the ministry announced the cancellation of the exam and promised it would be rescheduled. Although there were reports of a leaked exam paper, the ministry has not confirmed this and has handed the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar had earlier lauded the successful conduct of the UGC-NET June 2024 on social media, noting that the exam was held across 1,205 centers in 317 cities for over 11 lakh candidates.
Simultaneously, nearly 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG 2024 for undergraduate medical courses on May 5. The results, announced on June 4 ahead of schedule, sparked protests due to allegations of a question paper leak and grace marks awarded to over 1,500 students. These allegations led to court cases, including a stern response from the Supreme Court.
Regarding NEET, the ministry stated that issues with grace marks have been addressed and a detailed report on alleged irregularities in Patna has been requested from the Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police. The government assured that strict action would be taken against any individuals or organizations involved in compromising the examination process.
The Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to maintaining the sanctity of exams and protecting student interests, emphasizing that integrity and transparency are paramount.
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