Controversy and Cancellation
The University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) 2024 has faced significant disruptions due to controversy surrounding alleged leaks of the examination paper. Originally scheduled for June 2024, the UGC NET exam was abruptly cancelled following concerns that the integrity of the exam had been compromised. Reports indicated that a potential leak had tainted the examination process, leading to its cancellation just a day after the initial test.
The Ministry of Education, in a notification dated June 19, confirmed that the decision to cancel the exams was based on inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics. These inputs suggested that the examination’s integrity could have been undermined. The Ministry emphasized that to ensure transparency and maintain the sanctity of the exam process, a fresh examination would be conducted. This decision was also accompanied by a referral of the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive probe.
New Examination Dates and Procedures
In response to the controversy, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rescheduled the UGC NET 2024 exam. The new dates are set between August 21 and September 4, 2024. The revised exams will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, moving away from the previous pen-and-paper format used in June. This change aims to enhance the security and integrity of the examination process.
Candidates will be notified of their examination centres on the official NTA websites—ugcnet.nta.ac.in and nta.ac.in—10 days before the start of the exams. This advance notice is expected to provide ample time for candidates to make necessary arrangements.
Legal Challenges and Supreme Court’s Stance
The cancellation decision sparked legal challenges, including a public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the Ministry of Education and the NTA. The PIL, filed by advocate Ujjawal Gaur, questioned the validity of the cancellation and the subsequent decision to hold a re-examination.
In response, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, chose not to entertain the PIL. The Court’s bench noted that the petition was filed by a lawyer rather than directly by aggrieved students, which limited its scope for addressing the merits of the case. Chief Justice Chandrachud remarked that the dismissal of the PIL did not imply any judgement on the substantive issues raised, advising that such matters should be addressed by those directly affected.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Implications
As the legal and investigative processes continue, the focus remains on resolving the issues surrounding the alleged paper leak and ensuring the integrity of the UGC NET examination. The involvement of the CBI underscores the seriousness of the investigation, aiming to prevent future breaches and uphold the examination’s credibility.
The rescheduled UGC NET 2024 exam reflects the NTA’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised and restoring confidence in the examination process. As candidates prepare for the revised dates, the emphasis remains on transparency and fairness, ensuring that the examination serves its purpose of assessing eligibility for higher education and research positions.
(With inputs from agencies)
