In a stunning development amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG exam, the Central government took the unprecedented step of cancelling the UGC-NET examination on Wednesday night. The decision, attributed to concerns over the ‘compromised integrity’ of the exam, has plunged the academic world into turmoil and sparked a fierce political debate.
The UGC-NET, a nationwide examination conducted by the University Grants Commission, serves as a crucial gateway for aspiring assistant professors and PhD students in Indian universities and colleges. The exam also determines the eligibility of Indian nationals for the coveted Junior Research Fellowship. This year’s exam, held on June 18th, 2024, at 1,205 centres across 317 cities, saw a participation of over 11 lakh candidates. A staggering 81% of the registered candidates appeared for the exam.
The Ministry of Education cited inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs as the primary reason for the cancellation. These inputs, the ministry stated, raised serious concerns about the potential compromise of the exam’s integrity. To ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity in the examination process, the decision to cancel the exam was made.
In the wake of the cancellation, the Ministry of Education announced that fresh exams would be conducted. The details regarding the rescheduled exams are yet to be announced, but the ministry has assured that information will be shared promptly. The eligibility criteria for the UGC-NET exam remain unchanged. Candidates who have secured at least 55% marks in their Master’s Degree or equivalent examination from UGC-recognized universities are eligible to appear for the test.
The cancellation has not only sparked widespread outrage among students and academics but has also triggered a political storm. The Congress party, in a scathing attack on the Modi government, alleged that the government’s inability to conduct an exam without ‘leaks and frauds’ is a testament to its incompetence. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of ruining the country’s education and recruitment system, questioning the credibility of the ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’ initiative in light of the repeated exam cancellations.
To address the gravity of the situation and ensure a thorough investigation, the Ministry of Education has decided to hand over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CBI is expected to conduct a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding the compromised integrity of the UGC-NET exam, leaving no stone unturned in identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. This move underscores the seriousness of the situation and the government’s commitment to upholding the fairness and transparency of the examination process. The outcome of the CBI investigation will have far-reaching implications for the future of the UGC-NET exam and the overall credibility of the Indian education system.
