The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on June 19 the cancellation of the University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), which had been conducted just the day before.
The decision was made following indications that the exam's integrity may have been compromised.
The UGC-NET was held on June 18 across 1,205 centers in 317 cities nationwide, with over 1.1 million candidates participating.
However, inputs received by the University Grants Commission (UGC) suggested potential issues that could have compromised the examination's integrity.
The NTA has handed the matter over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed investigation.
These concerns were raised by the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
To maintain transparency and the integrity of the examination process, the Ministry of Education decided to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 examination.
The NTA stated that a new date for the examination will be announced separately.
The UGC-NET determines eligibility for Assistant Professorships and Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges.
This incident follows similar concerns regarding the NEET-UG 2024 examination, where allegations of question paper leaks were reported, particularly in Bihar.
An unprecedented 67 students scored a perfect 720, with six students from a single center in Faridabad, Haryana, sparking suspicions of irregularities. Allegations suggested that grace marks might have contributed to the unusually high number of top scores.
The NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for admissions to various medical courses across the country.
In response to the NEET-UG issues, the NTA has addressed the grace marks concern and requested a detailed report from the Economic Offences Unit of the Bihar Police regarding the alleged irregularities in Patna. Further action will be taken based on this report.
The government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining the sanctity of examinations and safeguarding the interests of students.
Any individuals or organizations found to be involved in compromising examination integrity will face severe consequences.
Opposition leaders reactions
Following the announcement of the UGC-NET cancellation, several opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, criticized the central government. They expressed concerns over the integrity of the examination process and demanded accountability from the authorities.
Mallikarjun Kharge also attacked the government over alleged irregularities in the NEET exam and questioned when Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address these issues. The Congress party labeled the Modi administration as the "paper leak government" and called for the education minister to take responsibility.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded that accountability be established for the UGC-NET cancellation. In a post on X, Kharge criticized the Modi government's handling of the exams, suggesting it reflected a broader issue of administrative failure.
Kharge pointed out inconsistencies in the Union education minister's statements regarding the NEET paper leaks, citing arrests made in Bihar, Gujarat, and Haryana as evidence of a larger problem. He called for the cancellation of the NEET exam as well and urged the Prime Minister to take responsibility for preventing further irregularities.
The Congress party accused the Modi government of jeopardizing the future of young people by failing to conduct fair examinations. They noted the repeated incidents of paper leaks and emphasized the need for accountability and action.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav also voiced suspicions of a larger conspiracy against the country, highlighting the negative consequences of compromised examinations in various sectors, including law enforcement and healthcare. He called for a thorough investigation under court supervision to ensure justice and prevent future incidents.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) for its repeated failures in conducting fair examinations. She labeled the situation an "education emergency" and called for government accountability.
Aaditya Thackeray of Shiv Sena (UBT) echoed these concerns, emphasizing the adverse impact on students' futures and accusing the central government of neglecting the issue.
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) demanded immediate action against the NTA, including a ban on the agency and legal proceedings against its officials. NSUI President Varun Choudhary urged the education minister to take decisive steps to protect students' interests and restore confidence in the examination system.
